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Need tips to help mom taking medicine

nhan34
nhan34 Member Posts: 5
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Hello, my mom, who has alzheimer needs to take medicine daily. She is good with most medicine except the calcium supplements. She couldn't swallow it. I crushed the pill and mixed with food. She spilled it out, thinking they are rocks. I don't want she to feel someone put rocks in her meal since she has been lately creating sad stories . Have anyone encountered this situation? Any tips, suggestions are greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Comments

  • H1235
    H1235 Member Posts: 1,991
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    edited March 6

    Some vitamin can be huge. Could you shop around a bit and find something smaller. Maybe it would work better to give her two small pills to get the dose needed. There are also a lot of gummy vitamins out there maybe that would be an option. Is there a capsule form? Would that be ground more finely than you trying to crush the pill? Check with the pharmacist to make sure it’s safe to do it that way.

  • SiberianIris
    SiberianIris Member Posts: 121
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    Have her doctor evaluate the need for any and all supplements and medications. If her doctor wants her taking calcium, ask if a liquid form can be substituted.

    My mom had drawers full of supplements that she would buy and take because she saw an article or advertisement about. With the dementia diagnosis, her doctor asked me to bring in all her supplements and medications. He whittled down what she was taking by about 90%. Many of her issues, like random stomach upsets, dizziness, etc. disappeared.

  • Quilting brings calm
    Quilting brings calm Member Posts: 3,205
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    I would discontinue the calcium supplement. If she needs calcium, use a multivitamin with extra calcium. Most multivitamins for women over 50 have added calcium and D3. The usual reasons for extra calcium are osteoporosis or thyroid issues.

  • nhan34
    nhan34 Member Posts: 5
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    I asked the doctor. She said my mom needs calcium to go along with vitamin D3. Be honest, I don't know taking vitamin would help with her age, but I hesitate to stop giving her since the doctor doesn't recommend it. I will look for calcium in liquid form and try it. Thank you all.

  • jen ht
    jen ht Member Posts: 160
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    Citrical has "petites" that have helped my mom.

    Best wishes finding a solution.

    jht

  • persevere
    persevere Member Posts: 251
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    If your mom is fairly well advanced into her journey I would stop giving it. Neither she nor you need the aggravation. Same with all the supplements. Just keep it to the necessities.

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 3,336
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    tums are calcium. Ask her doctor if she can take them instead. They come in chewable and gummies.

  • MLHoward
    MLHoward Member Posts: 1
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    Hello! I have a pill grinder that I use to put my mother's medicine in. I put it in her breakfast protein fruit smoothie, orange juice/other juice or protein shakes. The blender will mix it up and she won't taste or see it.

    Do not put in milk or water. She'll taste it. I hope this helps. 🙏🏾

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more