Hi
Mum has been prescribed Donepezil a few months back but the mental health doctor advised that she needs supervision taking them at night. I have been on holiday and am going away again in another two months (I really do need the respite! ) and mum does not want a carer and even if she did allow it I'm not sure they would be able to supervise a 'before bedtime' tablet. Therefore I have not started her on them yet as the hospital doctor said there's no hurry but when she does start them they need to be continuous.
At the moment mum manages her general medication, for blood pressure, with the tablets being in daily boxes and the boxes filled up for her by me or my brother when I'm away.
My brother is not local but comes over to her a few times a week when I'm away to give her shopping and cook her a decent meal. As she can only eat cold grab food /sandwiches when she is on her own if I am not around - Although she tells me she buys herself a ready meal in the local shop while I'm away, as she can still walk to the shop, but not sure if she does or if she could remember how to cook it as she has a problem even turning the oven on when I ask her to warm the oven up for me to cook her dinner.
She also says she does not like cooking in the microwave although she used to use it before her Dementia took hold. She cancelled her meals on wheels which has made my life more difficult.
However the question is - Does anyone have a family member living on their own who is on this tablet and are they able to take it themselves?
I understand that I would need to closely supervise her in the first few weeks for side affects on this tablet but I was wondering if it is correct that someone has to physically give her this tablet at bedtime as that could be impossible to do every single night .
I have not been absolutely confident with the advice of the mental health specialist as she always seems rushed and not entirely understanding of situations with dementia. Therefore I would be grateful for some personal experience of caring for a PWD who has been prescribed this tablet.
Also, sorry to go on but does the tablet help with aggitation/ hallucinations /paranoia and anxiety , particularly in late afternoon and evening (often called sundowning )? This seems the most pressing problem I have and I wonder whether another tablet would be better to calm mum down at this time of day?
I have read good reports on this forum of Risperidone for anxiety like this and I do have a call back from mums GP on Monday to ask him if mum can possibly be prescribed this tablet as the 'sundowning' is causing me so much stress and mum so much distress .
Thanks in advance for any advice or personal experiences.
Mum has been prescribed Donepezil a few months back but the mental health doctor advised that she needs supervision taking them at night. I have been on holiday and am going away again in another two months (I really do need the respite! ) and mum does not want a carer and even if she did allow it I'm not sure they would be able to supervise a 'before bedtime' tablet. Therefore I have not started her on them yet as the hospital doctor said there's no hurry but when she does start them they need to be continuous.
At the moment mum manages her general medication, for blood pressure, with the tablets being in daily boxes and the boxes filled up for her by me or my brother when I'm away.
My brother is not local but comes over to her a few times a week when I'm away to give her shopping and cook her a decent meal. As she can only eat cold grab food /sandwiches when she is on her own if I am not around - Although she tells me she buys herself a ready meal in the local shop while I'm away, as she can still walk to the shop, but not sure if she does or if she could remember how to cook it as she has a problem even turning the oven on when I ask her to warm the oven up for me to cook her dinner.
She also says she does not like cooking in the microwave although she used to use it before her Dementia took hold. She cancelled her meals on wheels which has made my life more difficult.
However the question is - Does anyone have a family member living on their own who is on this tablet and are they able to take it themselves?
I understand that I would need to closely supervise her in the first few weeks for side affects on this tablet but I was wondering if it is correct that someone has to physically give her this tablet at bedtime as that could be impossible to do every single night .
I have not been absolutely confident with the advice of the mental health specialist as she always seems rushed and not entirely understanding of situations with dementia. Therefore I would be grateful for some personal experience of caring for a PWD who has been prescribed this tablet.
Also, sorry to go on but does the tablet help with aggitation/ hallucinations /paranoia and anxiety , particularly in late afternoon and evening (often called sundowning )? This seems the most pressing problem I have and I wonder whether another tablet would be better to calm mum down at this time of day?
I have read good reports on this forum of Risperidone for anxiety like this and I do have a call back from mums GP on Monday to ask him if mum can possibly be prescribed this tablet as the 'sundowning' is causing me so much stress and mum so much distress .
Thanks in advance for any advice or personal experiences.