Forgetting to take tablets

[GeneLovesJezebel]

My DM has recently forgotten to take her tablets. They are already in one of those days of the week boxes. Other than setting up a reminder on her phone, which she might not see/hear, is there anything else I can do ?

A blister pack and phone reminders are what MIL uses. She must have 12 tablets per day to take across the day (if not more) so some do get forgotten though. I think if it gets to a stage where this a persistent issue and there are other care needs not being met and not taking meds is not meeting primary needs, then maybe a care package might need to be looked at. MIL has a lot of care hours.

It’s difficult as she’s still so independent otherwise. She drives, goes shopping, cleans etc. it’s hard when the mind starts to go but the body is still ok.
And she won’t move nearer to me so I can’t pop in every day.

You can get Telecare reminders that call you on your phone, you can record a message and it plays back to you once you answer the phone. There is also a medication Telecare dispenser that alerts you and releases the tablets at the correct time. If it is just meds she needs help with, Telecare would be looked at rather than a care package by adult social care as they don't like to put a care package in just for meds, it's considered a health need rather than a social care need.

Alexa reminder? Otherwise a referral to social services to look at telecare options described above. In my area they will send carers to prompt them if other options exhausted and it is posing a risk.

Worth trying a reminder or alarm on her phone before anything else. I do that for my medication and I’m not elderly.

When you say ‘its hard when the mind starts to go but the body is still OK’ do you think she has the early stages of dementia?

If she is persuadable Alexa can be really useful as time goes on, setting up reminders and you can drop in and chat etc.

Google automatic pill dispenser. It's an electronically controlled dispenser that can bet for up to 6 times per day. My mum's dementia was too far along for her to cope with it but I think they make great prompters. Around £70 on Amazon.

Yes we have used a pill promoter you load them up for the week and set timers, the lid pops up and an alarm goes off at the right time, we even bought one that had a handle sonpklls could be easily tipped into a dish for taking

Thank you