How To Convince Your Senior To Take Their Medication

As the primary caregiver to your parents, you may be struggling to get them to take medications from the doctor each day. This can be for several reasons, maybe the pills are too big, maybe they need to be taken with food and your senior isn’t hungry, or they hate drinking water. Whatever the reason is, they still need to take medications regularly. It’s part of aging for many seniors.

Home care providers can help your senior manage their medication by reminding them when to take them, how much to take and with what. A home care provider can also keep an eye out for side effects that their doctor may have warned of, and inform you and their doctor if the side effects are becoming difficult for your senior to handle.

Numerous families have difficulties persuading elders to take medicine that is really important for their health problems. You’re not alone, and luckily, there are a few good ways to encourage seniors to take medication. When a friendly reminder doesn’t work, you can try these.

Focus on the Most Important Medications

It is critical to select your fights while providing care. You may not be able to convince your parents to take all of the medications and vitamins. You should focus your efforts on ensuring they take their heart medicine, instead of struggling to get them to take a vitamin D gummy. Focus on only the things that are prescribed, and then they can consider doctor-approved supplements when they are willing.

Get The Doctor On Your Side

In certain circumstances, your senior does not comprehend or will not accept that not taking medicine has major repercussions. If this occurs, request that their doctor spend time explaining to them why the medication is necessary and what will happen if they do not take it. This is not to scare the seniors but to ensure they understand the importance of taking medicine each day.

Check for Any Bad Side Effects

Occasionally, an older adult may refuse to take medication because the side effects make them feel uncomfortable – dizzy, nauseous, or with an upset stomach, for example. Take notes on how they’re feeling and consult with their doctor to see if there are any non-adverse side effects to alternative treatments. They may want to change the seniors’ medications if there is no way to minimize the bad effects.

Change The Flavor

Certain drugs have an unpleasant taste or get lodged in the throat. You can’t blame someone for refusing to take medication that is physically impossible to swallow. If this happens, ask if the pill can be a liquid or if the flavor can be changed. This can be a possibility, and sometimes a doctor may recommend something else entirely. If there is no way to change the medication, try flavored water or juice for a senior to drink it down.

Keep Positive

It can be easy to get frustrated with your parents and start feeling negative. The more you react and the angrier you get, the angrier your parents will get too. Seniors can pick up on body language and social cues whether or not you realize it. That is why it can be so crucial to remain positive and happy during medication time.