Practical tips for caregivers of people living with dementia
Taking medications can become more difficult as dementia progresses. Your loved one may forget why a medicine is needed, have trouble swallowing pills, become suspicious or fearful, or refuse to take them. These challenges are common, and there are ways to make the routine easier and less stressful.
Key Takeaways
A person living with dementia may have difficulty understanding, remembering, or cooperating with medication routines.
Simple changes in timing, approach, or medication form may make taking medicines easier.
Some medications are available as liquids, dissolvable tablets, or skin patches.
Never crush, split, hide, stop, or change how a medication is given without checking with the pharmacist or prescribing healthcare provider.
If medications are frequently missed or refused, contact the healthcare team rather than waiting until the next routine visit.
1. Make the Daily Routine Easier
A calm, predictable routine can help reduce frustration.
Keep it simple. Offer medicines in a quiet setting with limited distractions.
Choose the right moment. If your loved one is upset or resistant, consider trying again a little later, when it is safe to do so.
Use reassuring language. Explain simply what you are offering, without lengthy explanations or arguments.
Build on familiar habits. When appropriate, connect medicine time with a regular activity, such as breakfast or bedtime.
Stay organized. A pill organizer or medication chart may help caregivers avoid missed or repeated doses. A caregiver may need to fill, check, and supervise use as dementia progresses. Your NAN Navigator can provide recommendations for tools and strategies.
Check for discomfort. Swallowing difficulty, dry mouth, nausea, or an unpleasant taste may be part of the problem.
2. Ask About Alternative Ways to Take Medications
If swallowing pills is difficult or medicines are repeatedly refused, ask a pharmacist about options. Depending on the medicine, these may include:
Liquids. Some medicines come in liquid form.
Dissolvable or smaller tablets. Some are easier to take than standard tablets.
Skin patches. Certain medicines can be delivered through the skin.
Crushing or mixing with food. This is safe for some medicines, but others must be swallowed whole.
IMPORTANT: Never assume a pill can be crushed or mixed into applesauce, pudding, or other food. Crushing certain meducines can change how they work or cause harm. Check with the pharmacist first.
3. When to Call for Help
Contact the prescribing healthcare provider or pharmacist if:
Your loved one repeatedly refuses or misses medications.
Swallowing pills has become difficult, or coughing or choking occurs while taking medication.
A medicine seems to cause unpleasant side effects.
The routine is becoming stressful or difficult to manage.
You are unsure what to do after a missed dose.
Do not stop medicines or double up on missed doses without professional guidance. Some medicines can cause serious problems when stopped suddenly.
Call 911 if your loved one suddenly cannot swallow, develops new facial drooping, weakness, or speech difficulty, or is choking and cannot breathe.
Questions to Ask the Pharmacist or Healthcare Provider
Is every medicine still necessary? Can we simplify the schedule?
Is this medicine available as a liquid, smaller tablet, dissolvable tablet, or patch?
Can this tablet be safely crushed or mixed with food?
What should I do if my loved one refuses or misses a dose?
REMEMBER: The goal is a medication routine that is safe and manageable for your loved one and for you as their caregiver.
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