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Taking Medication
Reluctance to take medication is a common issue among individuals with dementia. Caregivers need to be patient, especially during the early stages of caregiving. Handling the medication process correctly from the start makes it easier to establish a consistent medication schedule in the future.
Individuals with dementia generally do not realize or may not accept their declining cognitive abilities. When they are treated as patients, they may feel diminished in their abilities, which can result in conflict and refusal to take medication.
Therefore, caregivers should avoid using forceful, pushy or threatening language to make individuals with dementia take their medication. Examples of language to avoid include, “The doctor wants you to take this,” and “You will be in trouble if you do not take your medication.”
Instead, caregivers should take a constructive and positive approach to help individuals with dementia take their medications.
Taking Medication
Reluctance to take medication is a common issue among individuals with dementia. Caregivers need to be patient, especially during the early stages of caregiving. Handling the medication process correctly from the start makes it easier to establish a consistent medication schedule in the future.
Individuals with dementia generally do not realize or may not accept their declining cognitive abilities. When they are treated as patients, they may feel diminished in their abilities, which can result in conflict and refusal to take medication.
Therefore, caregivers should avoid using forceful, pushy or threatening language to make individuals with dementia take their medication. Examples of language to avoid include, “The doctor wants you to take this,” and “You will be in trouble if you do not take your medication.”
Instead, caregivers should take a constructive and positive approach to help individuals with dementia take their medications.
Observe:
- When –Are they more willing to take medications at any particular time?
- Where – Are they more willing to take medications in a particular place or setting?
- Who –Are they more willing to take medications when a particular person assists them?
- Why –Are there reasons for their reluctance (e.g., the colour, taste, texture, or forms of the medications, or the influence of dementia)?
Follow-up on your observations:
- Allow adequate time to take medications instead of rushing the process.
- Provide medications in calm and comfortable settings and avoid distractions like TV or radio.
- Some individuals are more willing to take medications when helped by a specific person, such as their children or siblings.
- Involve the individual with dementia in the process of taking medication. For example, allow them to choose which medication to take first, if it is safe to do so.
- Collaborate with doctors and pharmacists to explore alternative medications with different colours, forms, textures, or tastes.*
*Any changes in medication should be approved by medical practitioners. If you have any questions about medications, consult your family doctor or primary care provider.
Observe:
- When –Are they more willing to take medications at any particular time?
- Where – Are they more willing to take medications in a particular place or setting?
- Who –Are they more willing to take medications when a particular person assists them?
- Why –Are there reasons for their reluctance (e.g., the colour, taste, texture, or forms of the medications, or the influence of dementia)?
Follow-up on your observations:
- Allow adequate time to take medications instead of rushing the process.
- Provide medications in calm and comfortable settings and avoid distractions like TV or radio.
- Some individuals are more willing to take medications when helped by a specific person, such as their children or siblings.
- Involve the individual with dementia in the process of taking medication. For example, allow them to choose which medication to take first, if it is safe to do so.
- Collaborate with doctors and pharmacists to explore alternative medications with different colours, forms, textures, or tastes.*
*Any changes in medication should be approved by medical practitioners. If you have any questions about medications, consult your family doctor or primary care provider.
Useful Resources
- Alzheimer’s Society: Refusing to take medication
- BrightFocus Foundation: Refusing to Take Medications: Tips for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver
- Circle of Care: Helpful Tips for When a Loved One With Dementia Refuses to Take Medicine
- Carers Garden: Managing Medication for People with Dementia -Refuses to Take Medication (Traditional Chinese)
References
[1]Alzheimer’s Society. (2023). Refusing to take medication. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/refusing-to-take-medication
[2]BrightFocus Foundation. (2021). Refusing to Take Medications: Tips for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver. https://www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers/article/refusing-take-medications-tips-alzheimers-caregiver#:~:text=Try%20breaking%20the%20process%20down,it%20in%20their%20own%20mouth
