Managing Medication

[Kintsugi16]

I’m reaching the end of tether.

DM can no longer manage her own medication so I’ve taken I’ve charge of this.
However, no matter which method or system I use she just doesn’t understand it. Also, although she can’t manage itself she wo t fully relinquish control and queries it all the time.

Any ideas ? as I’m not sure where to go from here really

Have you tried a dosset box, not from the doctors but buying your own. I did one for my FIL when he was on so many tablets each day, he couldn’t cope, but this helped him. The box had 3 sections am, lunchtime and evening and had enough for 7 days.

Are you with her every time she takes her meds?

You can get dosset boxes that open automatically at the right time with the right meds springchicken.co.uk

The pharmacy may be willing to put together a blister pack dispenser. My Mum has loads of medicines and the pharmacy put it all in a disposable blister pack 'tray' (dosette box) for her each week, so my Dad just has to pop the blister 4 times per day.

Thanks all. I’m not there when she takes it and can’t be. I have tried the dosset box and she just doesn’t understand what’s in there as she doesn’t have the ‘packets’ so I suspect the same may happen with the blister packs.

4 phone calls today, all in a panic because she’s running out of medication as only has enough until Friday. I will take more over before then and have never let her run out. She has also called the pharmacy and Dr 🤷‍♀️

I just wonder if I’m missing something. How can I explain it or make it simpler?

It sounds as if the issue is that she's not ready to hand over responsibility. Mum hadn't a clue what she was taking or why but knew that I knew so she was happy to take the "morning" ones in the morning and the "evening" ones at night. She doesn't need to understand it, manage it or worry about where next week's tablets are - someone is sorting all that out and it's you.

I made a list headed "what do my tablets do?" and wrote it all out with the number she should be having in the morning and at night.

I made a much better job of it than mum had been doing, mostly because I had a reminder on my phone.

Exactly the same with my mother. She always ended up short of tablets because she took too many. It was the beginning of dementia. The council gave us a timed box which they set for us and it opened and made a beeping noise at the right time this was the signal to tip it upside down so it stopped beeping. Unfortunately my dad, who also has dementia, used to bang it with his fist when it started beeping and so it stopped working on numerous occasions. Very difficult. You have my sympathies.

Would a dosset box work coupled with you ringing her to remind her? Or a Alexa programmed to remind her? Although that does out a lot of work on yourself. If a dosset box won’t work on its own, I doubt a timed dispensing box would work without a human prompt.
Otherwise carers to come in just to administer the meds?

Thanks for posting everyone.
She absolutely isn’t ready to hand over the responsibility but can’t manage it.

The problem is that some are pain killers so more a ‘take as needed’. She constantly thinks she’s running out (I have them)
No Alexa or phone alarm as she’s technophobic.

It’s a nightmare tbh

It’s definitely the beginning of dementia

Sometimes with dementia you just have to sit and wait it out. It might not be too long before she does relinquish responsibility for it and just accepts what you put in place for her to be able to cope. So maybe try some large posters on the wall, with a message on - “xyz has your meds”…..”take oil a at y time” type message. You may even find that an Alexa, she can just talk to and listen, not having to ‘use’ it, so no problem regarding her technophobia.
It’s really not easy at all. I used to stop on my way home and have a good cry or scream out of sheer frustration. You have my sympathy.

I think you’re right @Bargebill19
Perhaps I just have to ride it out.
Thanks for the sympathy and yes, lots of tears from me and her at the moment.

Quite remarkable reading this post - I could have written it! I have exactly the same issues with my mum.

I tried switching to 'Pilltime' which is an online pharmacy that sends out tablets in labelled pouches. The pouches come as a reel e.g. starting Monday morning, then Monday lunchtime and so on so should just have to tear of the next pouch.

I thought it looked brilliant but my mum just fights it. As others have commented above, refusing to relinquish control seems to be part of it. Rather than just taking the 'Tuesday morning' pouch on a Tuesday morning and being done with it, she unpacks everything, fiddles with the pills to work out what's what and generally causes confusion.

I might switch back to dosette boxes just because she is used to it, but Pilltime might be worth a look for others.

could you pay for a careworker to come in to give her the medication at the right times.
sounds like she is not really safe being left on her own.

have you tried one of these, pictured below its called a pistol and the pharmacy will set it for meds time and it will bleep each time they are dure until meds are taken.essy to fill up amd use

We have relatives who have a carer from the council come in and give them their pills. Works well. Call social care direct to get an assessment. Pills have to be in a blister pack but it works. Will take a few weeks to set up. Also means someone popping in regularly for you.

@Musicaltheatremum social services will not put in a call just for medication as it is a health need. They will only do it if they're in there anyway providing other care.

[quote moohoop]@Musicaltheatremum social services will not put in a call just for medication as it is a health need. They will only do it if they're in there anyway providing other care.

[/quote]
I'm in Scotland so it must be different here. That's a shame.

social services will not put in a call just for medication as it is a health need. They will only do it if they're in there anyway providing other care.

Is that true? I hadn't realised that.

@plummet how is your DM with other things? Is she eating abs taking care of things like her washing and personal hygiene?

If you've not got one already, I'd suggest talking to her about getting a POA for both health and finances.

Has she been seen by the Memory Clinic as well?

Mil with vascular dementia and alzheimers pays (well, we arrange for her to pay through the POA) for carers to come in 4 times a day, they sort all medication needs. It works well as we can then concentrate our time with her on fun stuff, on chatting and watching a film together etc, fewer "chores". Medication was a real time consumer!

My DM does already have daily support from a care team so no issues with hygiene etc. They aren't currently dispensing her pills (as that would require 3 visits / day) but it's one of the possible future options.
She's been assessed for everything.. no signs of dementia but her mental health conditions are part of this.
@seriousone I like the look of the pistol, will check it out!

@plumnet, they are very good but its called a pivitol,I put wrong name but if you show a chemist that picture they will know what it is.hope it all works out

Speak to the pharmacist. They should be able to put all the pills in a blister pack so it is clear what she needs to take at different times.

Perhaps they could put together some clear instructions for her?

This is a common problem for pharmacists!

We had soc services provide care just for supervising meds, once a day. Soon became twice and then other stuff. Even with a dossett- at the start of dementia my mum was totally overwhelmed by the difficulty of it.

Social services are providing pivotels for my parents. Their GP tried to sell them to DB got them for £130 a go!