Alzheimer Disease And Medication

For people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease

there will be medication that needs to be administered. This

raises the question of whether or not it's ethical to hide their

medication in food if they resist taking it voluntarily. As a

caregiver you'll have to decide if and when you need to hide

medication in food so that your patient gets the medication

needed.



People who have Alzheimer Disease are often given powerful

anti-psychotic drugs and sedatives. It's important not to over-

sedate patients. Strong doses of medication may make it easier

for you to care for your patient but it won't be in the best interests

of the person who has Alzheimer Disease. Studies show that

patients who are cared for in nursing homes are medicated more

often than patients who are given care in their homes by a

caregiver. As a caregiver you'll need to be conscious of the

quality of care that you provide and this includes monitoring

medication carefully and accurately.



Your patient's doctor will be in charge of which medications to

prescribe at what doses. It will be up to you to make sure that

your patient takes the medication on time each day. Correct

medication is crucial to the management of Alzheimer Disease.

There will be stages of the disease when it becomes more

difficult for you to get your patient to take their medication. At

these times you'll have to find ways to get the medication down

without a struggle.



Try presenting medication to your patient with food. This way

you can make the medication part of the meal time ritual. Some

medications will have to be taken on an empty stomach and this

can present some difficulties. You'll have to practice some

patience as you wait for you patient to take the medication. In

extreme cases you'll have to ask for the doctor's advice to ensure

that the medication is being taken.



As a caregiver of an Alzheimer patient there are many things that

you'll have to know about medication besides what dose it

should be given at. This includes possible side effects and over

dose symptoms. Always make sure that you keep medication

safely away from your patient so that there is no chance of an

over dose occurring. Keep a list of the medication that you're

giving the patient along with times that it should be taken. Mark

down each dose that you give the patient so that there is no

chance of you duplicating the dose.



This is important since you are the one who will be responsible

for the care of your patient and the administering of all drugs.