‘Idál (Justice), 1 Qawl (Speech), 168 BE – Wednesday, November 23, 2011 about 12:55 PM Pacific Time
As I have written before, sometimes Mom doesn’t want to take her medication. Normally, it’s simply a matter of gentle persuasions. At other times, it’s a matter of backing off and waiting a few minutes for Mom to calm down and forget that I attempted to give her the meds. Then there are those times when the only way to get her to take a pill is to hide it in her food.
The doctor recently increased one of Mom’s medications from once a day to three times a day. During the week, the nurse at the Adult Daycare center gives her two of the tablets and I give her the third at home. Since Mom usually goes to bed about 6:00 PM, this requires me to wake Mom and give her the third tablet.
In some ways it’s easier to give Mom the medication and in other ways more difficult. I know that sounds like a paradox, but it’s true. Mom does not argue about taking the medication, therefore, once I have convinced her that she needs to take it and drink water with it she does. However, Mom does not wake up easily from a sound sleep; in fact, none of my family wakes up easily from a sound sleep.
Once I have Mom sitting up in bed. I have to make sure she is awake enough to take the pill and then drink some water. I think tonight, I will use a teaspoon to put the pill in her mouth. I’m not sure how well it will work that time of night, but it may be easier then putting the pill in her hand and then having her put the tablet in her mouth.
Showing posts with label Alzheimer's medication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alzheimer's medication. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Friday, January 07, 2011
I think I need a pill crusher
Istiqlál (Independence), 8 Sharaf (Honor), 167 BE – Friday, January 7, 2011 about 2:18 PM Pacific Time
Mom is protesting taking her medication. She has not refused to take it, but each time I give her the meds she says it is the last time she is going to take them. I am not sure what to do if she refuses to take the medication perhaps I need to get a pill crusher so that I can mix the tablets with her food.
She is supposed to take all of her medication with food, so I do not think there will be a problem mixing them with food. I will discuss it with her doctor on Tuesday. Mom has an appointment with a new doctor at 7:30 AM; not an ideal hour, but that was the only one this doctor had available and Mom needs her meds refilled this coming week.
It is cloudy and Mom is upset. She seems to be more depressed on cloudy days then on sunshiny days. I will have to take to the doctor about her depression because I do not think the tablet she is taking helps. I also have to discuss why she is cold all the time; all right, this is winter, but she still should not be complaining about the cold. There may not be anything I can do about that except encourage her to wear sweaters.
The biggest issue Mom has is the Alzheimer’s disease. I do not know the medications this new doctor will prescribe. He may continue the medications she is taking or he may change them. He may know of something that works better then what Mom is taking. I am just going to have to talk to the doctor on Tuesday, January 11, and see what he says.
Mom is protesting taking her medication. She has not refused to take it, but each time I give her the meds she says it is the last time she is going to take them. I am not sure what to do if she refuses to take the medication perhaps I need to get a pill crusher so that I can mix the tablets with her food.
She is supposed to take all of her medication with food, so I do not think there will be a problem mixing them with food. I will discuss it with her doctor on Tuesday. Mom has an appointment with a new doctor at 7:30 AM; not an ideal hour, but that was the only one this doctor had available and Mom needs her meds refilled this coming week.
It is cloudy and Mom is upset. She seems to be more depressed on cloudy days then on sunshiny days. I will have to take to the doctor about her depression because I do not think the tablet she is taking helps. I also have to discuss why she is cold all the time; all right, this is winter, but she still should not be complaining about the cold. There may not be anything I can do about that except encourage her to wear sweaters.
The biggest issue Mom has is the Alzheimer’s disease. I do not know the medications this new doctor will prescribe. He may continue the medications she is taking or he may change them. He may know of something that works better then what Mom is taking. I am just going to have to talk to the doctor on Tuesday, January 11, and see what he says.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
It’s been a good day
Jamál (Beauty), 1 Masá’il (Questions), 167 BE – Sunday, December 12, 2010 about 4:14 PM Pacific Time
It’s been a good day, I managed to scrape together enough money to get Mom’s Alzheimer’s medication, but I still have six other bottles of meds to get. She is now taking two different tablets for Alzheimer’s disease. Mom takes one Galantamine ER 24 MG Capsule a day and two Namenda 10 MG Tablets a day (one tablet in the morning and one in the evening).
Mom isn’t happy about taking these or any of her other medications, but it’s necessary. Mom seems to have the most difficulty on cloudy days and in winter. If I take her out every day she is in a better mood, most of the time; unfortunately, getting her ready to go is a project in itself. We’re supposed to be getting a new walk-in or roll-in shower in one of the bathrooms, but the funding hasn’t came through yet.
This afternoon Mom is in an in-between mood; that is she is in a good mood for a little while and then her mood changes. One of the issues is a windup alarm clock. The clock that Mom had broke and I had to throw it away. I think getting her a new alarm clock will help. At least, she won’t be upset about the alarm clock any more.
It’s been a good day, I managed to scrape together enough money to get Mom’s Alzheimer’s medication, but I still have six other bottles of meds to get. She is now taking two different tablets for Alzheimer’s disease. Mom takes one Galantamine ER 24 MG Capsule a day and two Namenda 10 MG Tablets a day (one tablet in the morning and one in the evening).
Mom isn’t happy about taking these or any of her other medications, but it’s necessary. Mom seems to have the most difficulty on cloudy days and in winter. If I take her out every day she is in a better mood, most of the time; unfortunately, getting her ready to go is a project in itself. We’re supposed to be getting a new walk-in or roll-in shower in one of the bathrooms, but the funding hasn’t came through yet.
This afternoon Mom is in an in-between mood; that is she is in a good mood for a little while and then her mood changes. One of the issues is a windup alarm clock. The clock that Mom had broke and I had to throw it away. I think getting her a new alarm clock will help. At least, she won’t be upset about the alarm clock any more.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Feast of Mashiyyat (Will) is tonight
Jamál (Beauty), 19 ‘Izzat (Might), 167 BE – Sunday, September 26, 2010 about 10:49 AM Pacific Time
The Feast of Mashiyyat (Will) is tonight at 7:30 PM. I made plans for Mom and me to attend, but now I'm not sure. Mom is having an especially difficult morning. The morning didn't start out like this. Mom was in a good mood when she woke up, but her mood suddenly changed. Mom's moods usually swing back and forth all day long, but this morning she seemed much more angry then usual.
When Mom's angry her anger increases if I offer to help, she doesn't want me in her room. Therefore, I check to make sure she is alright. The anger has pass for a little while, but I don't know how long this mood is going to last. Mom takes Alzheimer's medication, I think the medication is working, but I have to do a little more research.
We're going to the Feast tonight. Mom always enjoys feast and her mood is more positive after we attend. It's just getting her ready to attend. Mom likes to wear jewelry and she can't find some of her earrings. She had a couple of pairs yesterday, but I'm not sure where they are today. Mom moves them and then forgets where she puts the earrings.
The Feast of Mashiyyat (Will) is tonight at 7:30 PM. I made plans for Mom and me to attend, but now I'm not sure. Mom is having an especially difficult morning. The morning didn't start out like this. Mom was in a good mood when she woke up, but her mood suddenly changed. Mom's moods usually swing back and forth all day long, but this morning she seemed much more angry then usual.
When Mom's angry her anger increases if I offer to help, she doesn't want me in her room. Therefore, I check to make sure she is alright. The anger has pass for a little while, but I don't know how long this mood is going to last. Mom takes Alzheimer's medication, I think the medication is working, but I have to do a little more research.
We're going to the Feast tonight. Mom always enjoys feast and her mood is more positive after we attend. It's just getting her ready to attend. Mom likes to wear jewelry and she can't find some of her earrings. She had a couple of pairs yesterday, but I'm not sure where they are today. Mom moves them and then forgets where she puts the earrings.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A good Sunday afternoon
Jamál (Beauty), 12 ‘Izzat (Might), 167 BE – Sunday, September 19, 2010 about 3:43 PM Pacific Time
I changed the battery in Mom's hearing aid this morning and then put the hearing aid in her ear. She protested verbally, but let me put it in her right ear. Mom hasn't said anything about the hearing aid this afternoon. Right now, she is setting on the couch dozing.
Mom cleaned, i.e. she sifted the cat litter this morning. I still have to figure out where she put the plastic bag with the used cat litter. Since she didn't put it in the trashcan in the hall, the bag must be in her bedroom or mine. Since she is dozing on the couch, I'll check in her bedroom to see if its in there. Mom gets upset if I go into her bedroom when she is in another part of the house.
You can do research about Alzheimer's disease and the sufferers, but that doesn't prepare you for dealing with a parent who suffers from the disease. I miss the woman my mother was before the disease began. Sometimes Mom is her old, happy self and other times she becomes angry over nothing. The meds help a little, but all medication can do is slow the progress of the disease. Mornings are more difficult for Mom then afternoon.
I changed the battery in Mom's hearing aid this morning and then put the hearing aid in her ear. She protested verbally, but let me put it in her right ear. Mom hasn't said anything about the hearing aid this afternoon. Right now, she is setting on the couch dozing.
Mom cleaned, i.e. she sifted the cat litter this morning. I still have to figure out where she put the plastic bag with the used cat litter. Since she didn't put it in the trashcan in the hall, the bag must be in her bedroom or mine. Since she is dozing on the couch, I'll check in her bedroom to see if its in there. Mom gets upset if I go into her bedroom when she is in another part of the house.
You can do research about Alzheimer's disease and the sufferers, but that doesn't prepare you for dealing with a parent who suffers from the disease. I miss the woman my mother was before the disease began. Sometimes Mom is her old, happy self and other times she becomes angry over nothing. The meds help a little, but all medication can do is slow the progress of the disease. Mornings are more difficult for Mom then afternoon.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Mom’s prescription for her Alzheimer’s medication
‘Idál (Justice), 11 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Wednesday, August 11, 2010 about 6:02 AM Pacific Time
Mom had an appointment with her doctor yesterday. At present, Mom is taking one GALANTAMINE ER 8MG capsule once a day. The doctor is changing the strength to a 16MG capsule once a day. She will take these for about two months and then I take her back to the doctor for a new prescription. I am looking forward to see what effect the new prescription strengtht will have on Mom.
The 8MG capsules have help some of the issues with Alzheimer's symptoms; however, the doctor says that 24MG is the recommended strength. I will see how Mom handles the 16MG capsules for two months and then take her back to the doctor. When Mom begins taking the new prescription strength, I will watch for side effects and the Alzheimer's symptoms. I realize there is no medication that that stop the disease completely, all we can hope for is to slow the progress of the disease.
My mother is 89 years old and wants to live 100. All medical science can hope to do is slow the progress of a disease that will eventually render her completely helpless and unable to recognize her own children, As her daughter, the only thing I can do is give her medication and say healing prayers. Mom's favorite healing prayer is the Long Healing Prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah.
Mom had an appointment with her doctor yesterday. At present, Mom is taking one GALANTAMINE ER 8MG capsule once a day. The doctor is changing the strength to a 16MG capsule once a day. She will take these for about two months and then I take her back to the doctor for a new prescription. I am looking forward to see what effect the new prescription strengtht will have on Mom.
The 8MG capsules have help some of the issues with Alzheimer's symptoms; however, the doctor says that 24MG is the recommended strength. I will see how Mom handles the 16MG capsules for two months and then take her back to the doctor. When Mom begins taking the new prescription strength, I will watch for side effects and the Alzheimer's symptoms. I realize there is no medication that that stop the disease completely, all we can hope for is to slow the progress of the disease.
My mother is 89 years old and wants to live 100. All medical science can hope to do is slow the progress of a disease that will eventually render her completely helpless and unable to recognize her own children, As her daughter, the only thing I can do is give her medication and say healing prayers. Mom's favorite healing prayer is the Long Healing Prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah.
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