My aunt has refused any medication to help with AD since she was diagnosed 2 years ago. Finances were neglected and luckily we were able to get most payments done online. Failed driver's test etc. 6 months ago. she is exhibiting anger about this and blames me for taking her to the doctor "who made it so she couldn't drive." He tried to tell her that the medications would help with her remembering things and she said she didn't have a problem...it was those trainees at the bank. LOL! The late fee for Macy's? When did they start charging membership fees?

How does one get a LO to take any kind of medication when they believe nothing is wrong with them? Can the medications be put in food? Something to ease the anxiety and agitation(crying spells) that is increasing these last 3 months about loosing independence and not understanding why people call to collect money. Any of your suggestions would be appreciated as she talks constantly and upsets herself and those around her. sigh.

Hi Tippy. I understand what you are going through. My mother is no longer doing what you describe, except the anxiety and agitation, but like your aunt, she isn't taking her meds. Hasn't been since last Thursday, October 29th, 2009. When you talk about talking constantly. My mother used to do that a lot and boy was she ever so irritating and annoying.

Talk to the doctor or pharmacist. Some meds can be crushed and put in food, some can even may be made into creams. But, some medicines can't. A pharmacist is probably your best bet.

thank you for writing. Just knowing someone else has gone through this is nice. I keep reading through many posts and wonder if this is where we are at or when we get to that point there are people who know what it is about. My aunt has about 3 major stories that she keeps to, Michael Jackson being her friend is one that is rather fun to get into but the ones for others plotting or said something mean against her wears us out. Seems that AD doesn't find the happy times.

Tippy,
Is your Aunt seeing a neurologist or psychiatrist? They know what meds can help with anxiety more than a primary care doctor.
You might want to post on the caregiver section, it gets a lot more traffic and you'll get a lot of advice.

quote:

Originally posted by 1480:
thank you for writing. Just knowing someone else has gone through this is nice. I keep reading through many posts and wonder if this is where we are at or when we get to that point there are people who know what it is about. My aunt has about 3 major stories that she keeps to, Michael Jackson being her friend is one that is rather fun to get into but the ones for others plotting or said something mean against her wears us out. Seems that AD doesn't find the happy times.

You can say that again. AD certainly doesn't find happy times. They are miserable at best.

Jellybeans and cecilb,
thank you for writing. The last gero-nuerologist that we took her to is the point of irritation that is going on. I am to apologize for making her go as "that doctor took my driver's license away." There is a "family" disagreement about whether I should apologize or not. Some think my apology will stop the ac ccusation, I personally dont think so as I will just be that I did cause her to not to be able to drive. She thinks the first and best AD neurologist in our area hurt her as he was a bad chiropractor and she remembers his name oddly enough. Should I apologize or just say that I am sorry that she is frustrated that she can't drive. We have taken her her lawyer that even went to the DMV hearing where her license was basically revoked. She doesn't remember that part. She still wants the lawyer to get her license back for her. htanks for listening. Yes, I went to the Caregivers site and got round one of suggestions but thought this site would be helpful for others that visit this site more. Trying to find out the most I fcan as this disease robs more and more of my aunt. We are trying to figure out what do as she is rapidly declining and where we will be taking her when she has a complete meltdown. She says that people that take medicine are sick and since she is not sick, she is not taking anything. Problem as she has stopped her blood pressure meds etc. Such a strange thing to see a "new, different person" in my aunt's body which makes it hard for my cousins and others left distressed.

Hi, Tippy. There's an article on how to get your loved one to take meds at:

http://alzheimers.boomja.com/A...Medicines-71332.html

Your aunt obviously has "anosognosia", which is all too common in AD patients. This is a lack of self-awareness which makes it impossible for them to understand the need for medicines ... or doctors, or having a driver's license revoked. There's a good article on this symptom -- which my husband has, in spades -- at:

http://alzheimers.boomja.com/A...osognosia-32271.html


If she isn't taking a cholinesterase inhibitor (aricept, exelon, razadyne/galantamine) and/or Namenda, starting her on those may relieve her anxiety and agitation. If they don't, then yes, there are a number of other meds the doctor can try. The one to be prescribed for your aunt will depend on the other meds she is taking, her overall health, and the exact symptoms she has. See:

http://alzheimers.boomja.com/T...-Symptoms-48701.html

JAB, thank you for the articles that will help our family understand all the things that we now are facing in details. I have been trying to explain these these things to them, but now I can reprint the articles or attach them to emails. Your help and the others have been so valuable to assist finding better care strategies or options for my aunt.

If nobody else has suggested Jennifer Ghent-Fuller's article, Understanding the Dementia Experience, it's one of the very best:

http://alzheimers.boomja.com/A...xperience-59731.html

Thank you JAB. Printed up the articles and passed them around for family to read. Now, it is going to be up to the caretaking aunt to help with meds that her sister really needs, sigh...