Administering my moms meds by a non-medical caregiver

jmsmall77 · January 14

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 · January 14

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.

SusanB-dil · January 15

Hi jmsmall - Welcome to 'here', but sorry for the reason. I took the CNA course at a local Community College, covid hit, and was not able to continue to license, but at least I learned a lot. It is true that unless a person has a separate certification specifically for giving meds, they are not allowed.

I agree with M1 - perhaps check certain meds that she may not need any longer that won't do any good, anyway.

Edit to add: Perhaps check with the agency if they have anyone who is medication-certified, or check with your local hospice. If she is end-stage, you could probably get a hospice evaluation.

mommyandme (m&m) · January 15

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) · January 15

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.

SusanB-dil · January 18

Thanks @mommyandme (m&m) -

yes, it was just a mess. Ours was a 6-week course, and about 2 weeks in, everything got soooo messed up. Ours was the last 'class' they took, and we didn't even get to do clinicals. They still have no further classes scheduled. We ended up doing reports via remote learning, and then we were brought back in for practicals on the mannequins. I have a class pic in our gloves and masks. My licensing test was scheduled, and they cancelled it. I re-scheduled, and then it ended up getting re-scheduling again, and after all that, that didn't work out, either.

Although I don't like not having received the license after all I put into it, I will never regret taking the course, so I guess that's a good thing. I learned more from the practicals than the written part. But I did learn that tidbit that you need a separate certificate for meds...

Administering my moms meds by a non-medical caregiver

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