Administering Medications
A responsibility that most dementia caregivers must undertake is the daily administration of medications. With the numerous new drugs available today, this task can become quite bewildering. Within a single day, a caregiver might need to give out medications 4 or 5 times, and sometimes even more frequently.
This routine grows especially challenging with dementia patients, who might insist with complete conviction that they’ve already swallowed their morning dose.
Store all medications securely, where patients cannot see them. When pills remain visible, a person with dementia might forget having taken their dose and inadvertently take another. The consequences can be life-threatening, particularly with medications like blood thinners or cardiac drugs, where an overdose might lead to internal bleeding or dangerous heart rhythm disturbances.
Exercise vigilance with over-the-counter remedies, as these seemingly harmless products can interact dangerously with prescription medications. Before adding any new supplement or medicine to your loved one’s regimen, seek guidance from your pharmacist—a valuable ally whose expertise often goes underutilized. For diabetic patients, remain particularly mindful of hidden sugars in liquid medications and cough syrups that could affect blood glucose levels.
Balancing the myriad responsibilities of caregiving can feel like an impossible high-wire act. A weekly pill organizer with multiple daily compartments became my salvation. Each Sunday evening, I would arrange my father’s colorful array of medications—the tiny white blood pressure tablet, the oblong beige cholesterol pill, the round blue sleeping aid—into their designated slots. This system not only saved precious time but also provided a visual alert when I’d forgotten his afternoon dose. I recommend designating a single person as the “medication manager” who intimately understands the regimen and can immediately spot irregularities. Others can then assist by distributing from the pre-filled organizer when necessary.
Balancing the myriad responsibilities of caregiving can feel like an impossible high-wire act. A weekly pill organizer with multiple daily compartments became my salvation. Each Sunday evening, I would arrange my father’s colorful array of medications—the tiny white blood pressure tablet, the oblong beige cholesterol pill, the round blue sleeping aid—into their designated slots. This system not only saved precious time but also provided a visual alert when I’d forgotten his afternoon dose. I recommend designating a single person as the “medication manager” who intimately understands the regimen and can immediately spot irregularities. Others can then assist by distributing from the pre-filled organizer when necessary.
Many pharmacies, including Amazon, provide pre-filled pill packs for an entire month’s supply of medications. I strongly suggest considering this option.
It is believed that 60 percent of elderly individuals struggle with swallowing their medications. In the care of dementia patients, you’ll find that as the disease advances, they often develop a persistent issue with swallowing, as this is a common symptom of dementia. Consequently, many nurses and caregivers opt to crush their pills and blend them into foods like yogurt or pudding. However, be cautious; crushing pills can cause significant complications.
Certain pills come with a special coating designed to control the release of medication into your body. Crushing these pills can disrupt this mechanism, causing the medicine to be released too quickly and potentially leading to an overdose. For pills intended for once-daily use, crushing them could result in the entire dose being delivered at once, leaving you without the necessary dosage for the remainder of the day. It’s essential to consult with your pharmacist. They might suggest splitting the pill in half and administering the divided dose twice daily. If you observe your loved one struggling to swallow pills, consult their doctor immediately about alternative delivery methods. Many medications come in different forms—liquids, patches, inhalers, or suppositories—that might better suit their changing needs.
In my father’s final months, liquid medication became our saving grace. I developed a gentle routine where I’d say, “Open wide for me, Dad,” and carefully administer the medicine along the inside of his cheek. His relief was immediate, and this minor adjustment brought comfort to us both during a challenging time. Some precautions should be taken for the person who is doing the crushing. It is always wise to use an actual pill crusher or at least place the pill inside of a zip-lock bag before turning it into granules. This way you are not inhaling any of the dust. (Be especially cautious if you’re pregnant.)
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of consulting both your doctor and pharmacist about medication alternatives. Finding the right approach—one that works for both your loved one and yourself—makes all the difference. During my years as my father’s caregiver, medication management was the responsibility that followed me everywhere, like a shadow that never quite lifted, even during moments of respite.
You might find yourself questioning whether you’re merely addressing the illness rather than caring for the individual. It’s important to consult with the patient’s doctor to determine if all the current medications are still necessary. It’s possible that the patient has reached a stage where these treatments are no longer beneficial.
Gary Joseph LeBlanc, Director of Education
