Does anyone out there have some good recommendations for keeping a parent on their prescribed medications? My father (81) decided he no longer wanted to take his main depression medication and tapered it off. I've noticed some mood and anxiety problems, however, he continually changes his mind on whether or not he will talk to his doctor about it.
We moved him from WI to TX last Feb when my mother passed away so he has been adjusting to a very different life.
The tips on different ways to help sort out the medications are also helpful. Once he is in a routine he seems to do pretty well. In the past when we had to add an antibiotic twice a day,I made a large print chart with the days down the left and the times to take medications accross the top. The medication to be taken was in the grid section. He could then cross off the blocks as he took the medication. I also printed larger labels for the prescription bottles as his macular degeneration makes it difficult to read fine print.
He lives in an assisted living/retirement apartment complex so he gets some social interaction with others a couple times a day.
Thanks again for the help!
Sometimes the supplier changes the appearance of the pill, which she can notice and question right away. Finally, they just need to have an explanation why they need to cooperate and what the absence of the medication can do as well as how they can do better with it. He may feel more in charge. Our elders have made choices and decisions their whole life, and that generation accomplished so much, we must not take all their decisions away unless they are asking for the relief of that as well.
Can you get him involved in a Senior's group? Most local hospitals and senior centers have a full program of activities. Reach out to your DR. to get Visiting Nurse to come and keep an eye on him too. Any change in his condition should make him eligible for services,; he does not have to have been in the hospital to qualify. I do this with my mom about 2 times a year. She fell and they were here in less than a week!! Good luck
Linda
Try not to be heavy handed and he'll likely dig in his heels. However, if you can point out specific times when he seems most anxious and/or depressed, maybe you can eventually get him there.
Another idea is to get him in for a general physical and write the doctor a letter ahead of time, giving the history. Then, if the doctor brings it up, he may go with it.
Good luck. You are a caring person and this is hard to watch.
Carol