‘My mother who is my Father’s primary caregiver is having difficulty in getting my father to take his medications. He has been chewing some, spitting them back out in his glass, dropping them in his water glass, slipping them in his pockets, straight up refusing to take them. Some are for anxiety and agitation, others are prescriptions, and some are supplements added by my mother. Any ideas on how to get my father to take his meds would be greatly appreciated.
Why is mom adding pills? Are these supplements and vitamins because quite honestly this can go dangerous pretty quick. She needs to know more pills, more work for the kidneys, the quicker those kidneys will die. Doctor can hopefully help in four weeks.
I can't know your family's feelings of decisions about your father's last years with Lewy's nor what decisions you have made about prolonging his life. My own brother suffered from probable early onset Lewy's dementia and it was his fervent wish to die before it robbed him of his mind. He was lucky. He got sepsis from a small cut and he died of it before Lewy's could take the best of him.
I as an RN thing there is way too much pushing of medications on someone when they do not add to the quality of life, but are aimed solely at the quantity, but these are highly personal discussions for family, patient and MD.
I would discuss this with the doctor.
I sure do wish you the best.
It may be time for a hospice evaluation for dad now. You can ask his doctor to write an order for one to see if he qualifies. Hospice was a godsend for both of my folks.
Best of luck.