I wonder if anyone can help with any advice on the situation we find my Mum is in at the moment? Mum has been living in a residential Care Home for the past four months. The home seems excellent and she seems content and far more relaxed than when she was at home. She is visibly well-cared for, although she has lost a lot of weight (she had plenty to lose). She rarely speaks now and the medical staff think she has suffered further deterioration with her vascular dementia.
My Dad had a worrying phone call from the Care Home today to say that Mum is refusing to take her medication. They have contacted her doctor to ask if the medication can be given in liquid form, but he says not and that it is the right of any patient to refuse medication. The Care Home have other patients (with another doctor) who have been given liquid medication and my Dad thinks the doctor's refusal may be linked to added cost. (If this is the case I will be furious!) Does Mum have the right to refuse medication,even though her medical condition is such that she lacks capacity to make judgements?
Has anyone else on TP had problems with their loved-ones refusing medication whilst in a Care Home? Any advice on how we should proceed with this? Do we have a right to talk with the doctor ourselves? I am so upset for my Mum. Dad says she seems to have problems with the capsules as she finds them hard to swallow and when she chews them they taste horrible. He has suggested to the Care Home that they contact the consultant at the Memory Clinic if the GP is being unhelpful.
Any advice would be very gratefully received.
Sue
My Dad had a worrying phone call from the Care Home today to say that Mum is refusing to take her medication. They have contacted her doctor to ask if the medication can be given in liquid form, but he says not and that it is the right of any patient to refuse medication. The Care Home have other patients (with another doctor) who have been given liquid medication and my Dad thinks the doctor's refusal may be linked to added cost. (If this is the case I will be furious!) Does Mum have the right to refuse medication,even though her medical condition is such that she lacks capacity to make judgements?
Has anyone else on TP had problems with their loved-ones refusing medication whilst in a Care Home? Any advice on how we should proceed with this? Do we have a right to talk with the doctor ourselves? I am so upset for my Mum. Dad says she seems to have problems with the capsules as she finds them hard to swallow and when she chews them they taste horrible. He has suggested to the Care Home that they contact the consultant at the Memory Clinic if the GP is being unhelpful.
Any advice would be very gratefully received.
Sue