Administering my moms meds by a non-medical caregiver

jmsmall77

My mom has been dealing with Alzheimer’s/Dementia for the last 6 years. She is now end stage and has 24/7 care. I have her medication made up in little pouches and the caregiver were crushing and mixing with apple sauce. I just learned that the agency does not allow the caregivers to crush or mix with food. I do t know what to do. I physically can’t be available to administer every dose.I am my mom’s only family and besides agency support I don’t have any other support to back me up with giving her medication.
The agency is to be send me their policies.

Is anyone have any alternative ways that comply with agency requirements on medication administration?

Thank you! Beyond frustrated

M1

I would look hard at what can potentially be discontinued if she is end stage, and would also look carefully at timing-are there things that must be given more than once or twice a day, or that cannot be given together? Most agencies do have very strict rules about home health aides not being able to actually administer meds.

mommyandme (m&m)

All private pay caregivers that came in for mom would simply mix what I had already crushed up in yogurt. I had it measured or dosed before they got there. It wasn’t a problem for us. Not sure if it was a problem for management guidelines but we worked together for mom’s best interest. Prior to crushing I still had the meds placed clearly in weekly am and pm containers. The aids never really knew what the meds were. Maybe because they weren’t dispensing pills from pharmacy bottles it was ok.

I hope you find a solution.

mommyandme (m&m)

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/194796#Comment_194796

I also took a CNA course starting in late January 2020. It was a three week intensive course and we finished clinicals just before everything shut down. I’ve always appreciated achieving my license just prior to covid shutdowns. I’m sorry you weren’t able to.