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Swallowing pills: Tips for helping dementia patients take them

Posted by billiekip @billiekip, Aug 28 9:51am

ALZ patients often find swallowing pills difficult..especially big vitamin pills. I discovered gummy vitamins which have been a huge hit with my husband. He balked at taking pills before bed, but I realize now, it was the honking size of the vitamin pill that was the hurdle. Taking pills at the same time as your spouse is good too because it reminds them of how to do it. When a person has no memory, everything is brand new including taking pills.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

Funcountess | @funcountess | Sep 19 5:31am
In reply to @becsbuddy "@nathandavid I’m glad that solution worked for you and your mom. I would caution, though, that..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@nathandavid I’m glad that solution worked for you and your mom. I would caution, though, that you talk with your doctor or pharmacist before you try it again. Crushing medications can totally change the way they act in the body. For instance, a heart pill might last only two hours instead of 8; A pain pill may give all of the medication at once, which can be serious. Check with your doctor or local pharmacist to find out which pill you can crush and which, not. You can still put the whole pill in applesauce or yogurt! That’s what I did for quite awhile when I returned home from the hospital.
This message isn’t meant solely for you @nathandavid. Your question was just the perfect one to express my message on medication safety! Everyone, who manages medication for themselves or others, should carefully read the label on the medication container! Safety first!

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Many Rx are in liquid form. My father in law could not swallow pills, doctor said to crush them, or cut in half. That’s fine for a pill, but don’t have answer if it’s a capsule.

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