Making sure your elderly loved one is taking their medication as prescribed can be a very tricky task. Elderly people often resist medication as a result of fear, feeling out of control, or confusion.
This is why they require extra care, support, patience, and understanding, which is why you need to establish a simple routine that will encourage them to comply.
If you find that managing this process becomes too overwhelming, senior living communities may offer a solution.
For example, Benchmark Senior Living at Nashua Crossings provides a warm, supportive environment where elderly residents receive professional assistance tailored to their individual needs. Facilities like this can make medication management easier while ensuring seniors feel cared for and comfortable in their routines.
It will take some time and effort for them to warm up to it and take their pills as recommended, but don’t worry because we have gathered the most successful methods to help you get an elderly person to take their pills, so let’s get right to it.
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Understanding the Importance of Medication
Your elderly are most likely going to respond better to taking their medication if their doctor explains to them why it is important to take them and the consequences that might occur as a result of neglecting them.
The elder person may start to worry and notice the importance of the pills. Besides, elderly people often listen to authority figures, such as doctors, more than they would listen to family members.
This is why they are likely to feel more urged to take the pills rather than neglecting them.
Formula and Flavor
Most medications can be hard to swallow, which is why some elderly people can resist the pills.
If the elderly person has to exert effort to swallow the pills, then the pills may taste very bitter if they are not swallowed right away.
The pills can also end up being stuck in their throats. Struggling to take the pills can be a very unpleasant experience that they have to repeat every day- if not multiple times a day.
What you can do is check with the doctor if the format or the flavor of the pill can be changed without affecting the way it works.
Some medications and supplements can also be crushed and inserted in foods such as yogurt for easier ingestion. Softgels made by capsule manufacturer companies are often much easier to swallow than regular pills, making them interesting alternatives.
Finally, there are suspensions and effervescents which allow medication to be taken in liquid form.
There are some drugstores and pharmacies that offer services in which the formula or flavor of the medication can be changed, as well.
The Important Medication
It can be very frustrating for elderly people to have to take several medications daily.
It is usually a very tiresome and boring process for them, and this is why they resist the concept of medication altogether.
That is why you should focus on giving them the most important medications first, rather than insisting on giving them recommended vitamins and supplements that aren’t as vital for their health.
The reviews over at CPOE.org suggest that finding the best medical products that will make the person taking the pills more comfortable is a must.
They will likely start cooperating when the stress of having to take countless pills is relieved.
If they still resist, then you would have at least managed to get your elderly loved one to take their most important medications.
Side Effects
The reason why elderly people strongly resist medication is maybe because of the side effects that these medications have.
Some of these effects may include nausea, dizziness, stomachaches, and other irksome symptoms. You need to check in with your elderly and notice how they feel.
You can discuss with their doctors’ possible alternatives for the medications.
If there aren’t any, try your best to be extra careful and helpful with your elderly, especially after they’ve taken the medication.
Have them rest in the position in which they feel most comfortable, and maybe even give them soothing teas or herbs to drink.
Positive Attitude
You need to approach your elderly with positivity.
It can be very frustrating for you if they keep resisting the medication and having to go through the same process each time.
However, you need to remember that their refusal is not because they are against you. They are just scared and vulnerable, and this is why you need to be empathetic and patient.
Approach them in a calm environment, away from any noise that may stress them. Try to make the environment as soothing as possible, maybe even play some calming music.
Focus on the tone of your voice; try to sound as friendly and kind as possible without faking it. If you show any signs of frustration, they may get triggered and refuse to comply.
Reason Behind Refusal
Try to understand why your elderly are refusing the pills.
Ask them about how taking the pills makes them feel.
Let them know that you understand how difficult it must be for them to take the pills.
Try to reassure them if they are afraid, and explain to them that there is nothing to be worried about. Try to find solutions to the problem that they are facing.
They might need to have a small talk in which you reassure them every time they take their medications; be patient and talk them through it.
Medication Pal
Try to always be there to give them the medication and avoid having someone else give it to them.
Consistency is good because if someone else tries to give them the pills, they will refuse to take it as they have already warmed up to you.
If you come back later for another pill, they might refuse to take it as well because they may be angry at you. You can also be their pill pal.
Try to take your own medicine at the same time in which they take theirs.
If you do not have a medication to take, try to get away with an M&M or a skittle.
Triggers
Your elderly may feel triggered and distressed if they are approached with many medication bottles or several pills at once.
Try to give them one pill at a time with a little break in between.
Try to form small talk with them for distraction between each pill. Do not leave pill bottles around them even if they are for later.
This may trigger their anxiety, and they will keep anticipating the next time they will be taking a pill.
It can be very hard to convince an elderly person to take their pills.
This is why we wrote this article as a guide to help make this experience a little easier for both of you.
Always remember to be tender, caring, and patient with them, and make sure you prioritize the most important medications over the less essential supplements and vitamins.