My parents are 87 yrs old with dementia living at home. I’m their daughter who lives across town, I go over to visit every other day. I organize their pill boxes weekly. Sometimes they forget to take their meds and I give them a hard time about it.
I discovered hidden in a cupboard wrapped in tissue, a few days worth of both parents meds. Of course I was puzzled and upset. Are they giving up? Tired of taking these meds? I have not approached them yet. I need advice on how to handle this difficult situation! Thanks. ACM. (Only sibling in town )😬.
I would be concerned if any other pills were not taken and or stashed elsewhere or even thrown in the trash. Could be a red flag, don’t you think?
Are they alone in the house? No aides helping you? Maybe it’s time to have someone with them or if possible they could go into a facility.
Best wishes for you and your family.
See if swallowing pills has become difficult, if there are side effects you aren’t aware of, anything like that. Maybe they are just tired of taking meds and not seeing or feeling any benefits. And maybe the dementia is causing more issues than you’ve seen before
Actually some people with dementia hide the meds because they are afraid of running out and they think that they will die if they don't have them.
Most likely they have no clue where they put them.
Forgetting to take medication, not knowing what to do with the medication, being confused as to when and how to take it is the tip of the iceberg.
What else is going on that you are unaware of?
Does the stove get left on?
Does either of them wander? A walk around the block now might not be a problem but what happens when one or the other can not find their way home?
Does either of them drive?
A caregiver, or "companion" might help during the day if they do not need "hands on care" a companion can not give medications but they can remind, put the medication in front of them and watch that it is taken,
Are they safe in the house? Or is it time to consider Assisted Living that may transition into Memory Care?
Is there Adult Day Care in your area that they could go to a few days a week? That would keep them occupied and socializing. Some Memory Care Facilities have Day Care..with the hope that if it came to placing someone you would select that place since the person would know the staff, the facility and the routine.
I would not quiz them about hiding or hoarding the medications as they probably have no recollection that it was done.
By the way you might want to discuss with their doctors what if any of the medications can be discontinued. Given that they both have dementia, a condition that will not get better and is not curable, maybe some of the medications are not necessary any longer. Is a medication for lowering cholesterol doing either any good? if they are taking medication for the dementia to slow the progression, is that doing any good (if it ever did)? I would discontinue any medications that are not actually needed. But do so under the direction of the doctor, some have to be withdrawn slowly.
This is going to be another hurdle for you to jump. I wish I could tell you how.