My mom (with dementia) lives alone and has started moving her daily meds around in the weekly container. For example, she had already taken last Sunday - Wednesday, but didn't take Thursday, Friday, or Saturdays (not sure which day she didn't take them) but she moved one of those days pills to the Sunday spot. Any suggestions are appreciated.
She'll keep making mistakes with the medicine, and she probably has made mistakes with other important matters that you may not have noticed yet.
It's only going to get worse. I would call her PCP and explain what happened. Blood tests can be done to see how much medication is in her system.
Not a total comparison but you would not let a 4 year old be in charge of their medications would you?
She may have already reached a point where she needs supervision in the bathroom and for most if not all of her ADL's (activities of daily living)
Now I am a bit confused. You say in your profile mom lives with you yet your post indicates she is living alone.
If she is living alone she should not be. If she is living with you but in a little apartment you need to step in and be there more.
You also mention that you feel that your spouse and your mother could do more for themselves.
I can not comment on your husband but wanting your mom to do more...that ship has sailed.
She might try to do more but in some cases her doing more may make more work for you.
Give her tasks that she can do and if she finishes, great if she doesn't no big deal.
Consider contacting the local Area Agency on Aging and asking for a "needs assessment".
Be there for the assessment, because your mom most likely thinks she is taking her meds correctly and will report that.
It sounds like mom needs, at the very least, someone to hand her her pills each and make sure she takes them.
Best wishes in figuring out the next steps in her care.
I am dealing with this at the moment. There is no answer when we can’t remember which day it is or if we have already taken them. Missing pills is one thing. Possible overdosing is now also possible. Your Mom needs someone to administer her meds. Hope you can find someone.
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