Can anyone explain how you open a blister pack?

[Choux]

Do all UK blister packs for medication look alike? Anyone got a photo? My parents had them delivered for the first time and can’t work out how to get to the medication. The pharmacy knew it was their first blister packs but did not explain how to open them. Or they explained and my dad doesn't remember. I am too far away to go and help.

Do they have a lid? Open like a book? My parents probably both have dementia now and can’t describe them well.

I am going to call the pharmacy and ask them to go back and show them how to access the tablets but any info you can provide will help. Thanks.

If this is the sort of thing, you push down on the plastic "blister" at the front ( the transparent part ) and the pills are pushed out at the back.

The ones where they pre fill them with that days / times meds?

DGM had them, I seem to remember she opened it like a book, and then pushed her finger through the paper backing for the relevant day/time then tipped the pills out into her hand.

Be aware though, MIL with alzheimers (not long after diagnosis, otherwise seemed OK) couldn't mange needing to know what day/time it was, even with a special clock. She'd take the wrong ones - or one one occasion a whole day's worth in one go, including 8 paracetamol!!

She now has carers to do meds and lunch.

They look like a book or folder.

I used to get a knife to slice the back open in my clients homes because sometimes tablets got stuck in the backing if I pushed the plastic.

You push the pills out by pushing the plastic (bobbly) side. They will then be forced out through the silver foil-looking side.

DGMs looked like this

Thanks for the replies so far. It seems the packs are likely to be a book or folder and dad can't work out there is a cover probably taped down with clear tape keeping it shut.

We are having a meeting with carers on Weds to get started on daily med checks. I know based on the tablets I put out for them last weekend in their pillboxes that in the last week mum has missed her tablets once and dad has missed his afternoon tablets twice. So they definitely need help taking them.

Have you seen that they also do medication rolls?

nhs.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk/pill-box

You have to do medication ordering set up online - but GPs should be able to transmit to them electronically, so fairly low input once set up I think?

Then they just pull out the next one at the right time and open it.

@Gladioli23 I know they exist but the writing is very small and I'm not sure they do different colours of packaging so if both my parents had them they could get confused and take each other's tablets.

For DH's elderly mum (who had cancer), we had a plastic thing that sounded an alarm when she needed to take a set and only opened that window (almost like an electronic advent calendar).

Christ I am explaining that badly. This sort of thing (though not this precise one).. https://www.amazon.co.uk/TabTime-Electronic-Timer-Reminder-Dispenser-Medication-Parkinsons/dp/B01F8SWCO0/ref=ascdff_B01F8SWCO0/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309981954457&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8379326097065509379&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045957&hvtargid=pla-561288051506&psc=1

It beeped loudly (so she couldn't forget) opened automatically (no fannying about with blister packs) and only opened one door so she could only take the right ones. Was an absolute game-changer.

We read a lot of reviews to find the right one (sadly I can't find the order to tell you which one we settled on), but it was really worth its weight in gold.

[quote Choux]@Gladioli23 I know they exist but the writing is very small and I'm not sure they do different colours of packaging so if both my parents had them they could get confused and take each other's tablets.
[/quote]
Those particular ones I thought looked fairly readable but I might be under estimating how large the print needs to be. Presumably if carers are coming there could be a set of coloured stickers that they stuck onto each new box to differentiate?

Once upon a thread's idea sounds good as well though. Did it require people to manually sort all the medication out?

Name change fail above, sorry!

Some packs have a plastic cover like on a choclate box.
The dispensed drugs per the prescription* is usually attached to this.
The lid taped down to prevent accidental damage to the popable plastic layer covering the tablets.
Insert a blunt knife at the back fold to find the clear tape.
The popable plastic cover is stuck over the 'blister cup'
To open blister
Leave the tray on a counter
Gently press the plastic to pop it

Cover the opening with the dish lift and turn the package upside down and let the tablets fall into the dish
Or
Pick the individual tablets out and place in dish

The cover can be opened like a book but provided the tray is stored in a safe place may be easier to cut this off at the start of the week but this removes the prescription*

NB the packs should be delivered a few working days before needed and checked as mistakes do happen

_

Some things to think about with a dementia patient and care plan discussion

Most care companies will only allow "prompting"
Find out exactly what that means
How do staff deal with refusal or questions and dropped tablets
Will they only do a handover or place on a spoon and feed it if necessary

How is the carer recording they gave the tablets on care record "gave tablets" v "gave lunch blister"

the carer should check that the plastic layer was added and properly stuck down around the sides & corners

As there will be multiple carers I would suggest getting 2 souffle / ramekins dishes each of different colours/shape
Have 2 different clearly marked storage areas for Mum and Dad and the dish is cleaned and stored with the tablets

If your parents are moving to prepacked are they able to identify their current tablets?

Tablets will end up on the floor.
Have the prescription* including pictures in the care plan and with the tablets
Have colour pictures back and front of the tablets for each blister
(If you are not sure of the meds do this in the pharmacy
Lay the prescription* on table
For each item place
flat tablet face up face down
tube ones with lettering roll up
Adjust the phone resolution until the markings are visible)
Send the pics to anyone who will be a carer contact

The pharmacy need to notify when there is a brand substitution

You need to update when this happens or there is a change to the prescription

Check the dispensed drugs against the original prescription given by the doctor and make sure you can identify individual tablets

Even though they should be checked tablets can be missed altogether or 2 in the same blister 1 day and none the next
Or the new prescription is sent after the tablet tray was made up by the pharmacist

If there are essential tablets can the pharmacy try to group these so that if missed they can be taken with a second blister
E.g. paracetamol is not in both blisters

The care company may have good suggestions too so ask them for advice on what works for each level of dementia as early introduction of a new routine may be better than trying to change a fixed expectation your parents may have

The ones I’m familiar with are sealed with a paper top so you push your finger through and rip the square out and then tablets are underneath.

If they are still struggling to remember them then I recommend a pivotel automatic pill dispenser but do require someone to load them. They take 28 dispenses at a time so for tablets twice a day they last 14 days. They look like a fire alarm and they beep when dose due and you tip it up and the pills slide out. I also bought a tipper to make it easier. You set the time and how long they can access the pills before it locks again. You can also get 2 different design ones so could get a clear lid for one person and a covered one for the other so they can tell them apart.

The blister packs my mum gets have a front cover on them that make them look like a book I guess. Then they simply have to open the 'page' and pop out the relevant tablets. Unless you're my mum who opens a whole week at once and decants them randomly into shot glasses..

Ok they have got the front cover open! Now trying to get him to open the sunday morning bubble... some progress!!!

@OnceUponAThread

For DH's elderly mum (who had cancer), we had a plastic thing that sounded an alarm when she needed to take a set and only opened that window (almost like an electronic advent calendar).

Christ I am explaining that badly. This sort of thing (though not this precise one).. [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/TabTime-Electronic-Timer-Reminder-Dispenser-Medication-Parkinsons/dp/B01F8SWCO0/ref=asc]]dff_B01F8SWCO0/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309981954457&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8379326097065509379&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045957&hvtargid=pla-561288051506&psc=1

It beeped loudly (so she couldn't forget) opened automatically (no fannying about with blister packs) and only opened one door so she could only take the right ones. Was an absolute game-changer.

We read a lot of reviews to find the right one (sadly I can't find the order to tell you which one we settled on), but it was really worth its weight in gold.

We used to have this one www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BLZ9WNO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

but when dementia gets really bad, the alarm goes off and they just ignore it or don't know how to respond. So we got very little use out of ours and the blister packs are better but have to be given by someone else but at least you don't have to think about the individual pills and dosages.
With blister packs I break into the foil, then tip it over so the pills fall out. I don't press the bubble itself but I expect both ways work.