Medication reminders

[Tigertail]

Hi All

I'm sorry if this has been asked before and if it has can somebody point me in the right direction.

My mum has problems remembering if she has taken medication. She doesn't take anything for her dementia as she had very bad reactions to it but has to take strong painkillers for a back problem and also blood pressure. The trouble we have is that she takes tablets as and when she feels she needs them but forgets if she has taken them recently or not. We try to watch her but she can be very secretive. I don't feel she is yet at the stage where I take control of her meds as she can get very angry if we try to take over her life.
Has anyone come up with a method that works?

Ann.

[jeany123]

There are a lot of timed reminders to buy

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&k...l_5vwo56oer6_b

I haven't used any as I put my husbands tablets in a 7 day box for him and give them to him every day ,

[Tigertail]

Hi Jenny
Many thanks for your reply.
Just had a look at these and they do look very useful. But the problem I have is that mum takes tablets for pain as and when she needs them not at a regular interval time.
She doen't need a reminder to take them but a reminder that she has just taken them and so not to overdose! I know it sound a simple thing for me just to withold them and give them her when she asks but she doesn't want to give up her 'independance' she doesn't think she is as bad with her dementia as she is.
I am just trying to get round this problem without a head on confrontation.
Perhaps there is no other way!

Ann

[Whalewatcher]

Hi Ann, not sure if this will help you, but I can only tell you about my mum's situation. When I read your post I thought for a minute that I had written it as it was so familiar to me! My mum has no dementia medication but has been on painkillers for her back problem for years. When with her I have known her to take some painkillers and within 10 minutes say that she needs to take some, having completely forgotten that she already had. Although she does not like the idea of being hooked on them and used to take them just as and when required, my sister and I finally persuaded her to take them at regular intervals instead. The medical profession seem to think this is quite acceptable for longterm pain relief and even more effective, rather than waiting for the pain to hit more, then trying to deal with it.

You could try to convince your mum of this idea then buy her a present of a 7 day pill organiser that divides into single days with 4 compartments for morning, noon, tea and bedtime (can get them for under £2), then suggest that your mum puts the appropriate number of tablets in them herself or offer to do this tedious task for her(!) putting the rest of the tablet packs somewhere else out of the way. Providing she can take note of the times of day on the organiser, it might work.

As already suggested too, you could look into the automatic pill dispensers which can be costly, but you may find that your local council (social care dept) make the provision if appropriate. My mum now can't deal with the pill organiser I've suggested so we're currently trialling a different method, but I think we're going to be looking at the automatic pill dispenser soon as it's best to introduce it early while the brain can still get used to something new.

Hope this helps!

[nmintueo]

Search the forum and you can find previous discussions, such as:

Trouble remembering to take daily medication
http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showt...ily-medication

Help with taking medication
http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showt...ing-medication

[Tigertail]

Thanks for your reply Whalewatcher and yes I can see this as being the route to go down. My only problem is that she is resistant to any change as she 'doesn't need it'.

Most people seem to have a problem getting people to remember to take medication whilst this is more a problem stopping them taking one dose and them a short time after forgetting they have taken it and go to take another, thus overdosing!

Ann.

[jeany123]

Hi Jenny
Many thanks for your reply.
Just had a look at these and they do look very useful. But the problem I have is that mum takes tablets for pain as and when she needs them not at a regular interval time.
She doen't need a reminder to take them but a reminder that she has just taken them and so not to overdose! I know it sound a simple thing for me just to withold them and give them her when she asks but she doesn't want to give up her 'independance' she doesn't think she is as bad with her dementia as she is.
I am just trying to get round this problem without a head on confrontation.
Perhaps there is no other way!

Ann

I wonder if there is something that won't open for 4 or 6 hours so she can't take another until it opens


Jeany x

[Charlotte101]

When my back has flared up I end up taking strong painkillers that can make me confused. I spoke to assistive technology and they sent me a pivotal dosset box with an alarm on it. My OH used to sort it out for me, so I knew when the alarm went off it was time for the next dose. It was free of charge as well.

[Pillprompter]

Hi all. I'm new to this forum but very familiar with Alzheimer's patients. I worked in a skilled nursing home in the US for 18 years and too many patients were there onlt because they couldn't manage their medications on their own. The family members weren't as creative or resourceful as this group seems to be.

The pill dispensers that have been suggested can work for mild dementia, but may be too costly and one solution never fits all situations. There are automated phone reminder services that will call mum or dad at routine times of the day to say something like: "It's time to take your pills now. Please go do it right away so you don't miss any. Have a nice day!"

These services usually have a monthly fee, but that is far less expensive than hiring a home health aide. It's less stressful for the aging parent, because the calls are non-judgmental and soon become part of the daily routine. It's less stressful for the family caregiver as well, because you don't have to watch the clock all day and make those calls yourself.

Regarding the pain meds problem, I agree that pain pills should be taken routinely - not 'prn'. No one should have to be in pain and this approach gives much better relief than waiting until the pain gets bad.