Perhaps one of the greatest and most time consuming challenges my grandfather has experienced is giving my grandmother her daily medication. Well, recently my grandfather came up with a method that is yet to fail. I post this here for all to try if this challenge arises in your lives as a caregivers. These aren't breakthrough methods, but rather a specific way he has been giving my grandmother her medication.

- For a tough time administering tablets my grandfather has been crushing the medication into a fine powder and mixing it with applejuice and honey. My grandmother thinks this is an alcohol-free cocktail and looks for it every time. The honey is used to remove the sour taste of some of the meds. A WORD OF CAUTION: there are some medications that are time-release (e.g., pain killers), and these should not be crushed and consumed in this manner as they can cause an overdose.

- For the all too tough task of administering eye drops my grandfather has stopped trying to convince my grandmother to keep her eye open. She would play these games where she would close her eyes each time he would go to put the drops in. Well now he lets her close her eyes if she wants, and then pulls down her lower eyelid (which she cannot squeeze shut) and drops the medication in. Her ophthalmologist confirmed that this method is just as medically effective as dropping it directly on the eyeball.

Hope this helps someone.

Terrific Ideas! Thank you.

Well heck Aitan, that's the way I give myself eyedrops. Never could keep my eyes open.

For some of the time release stuff my doc had me open the capsules and pour the contents (the little balls) into a little plastic measuring cup. I think it was 2 Tbsp and it had ml markings on it. Then I crushed the medicine and poured in juice and stirred it thoroughly. Next I added 1/2 or 1/3 or whatever he told me to dad's juice or applesauce or whatever at meals.

Also, where possible my hospice was able to get me liquid meds such as neurontin and hydrocodone and creams. The creams were best for me.

I could have had more creams compounded by a local pharmacy but would have had to pay for it myself.

The creams are just so much easier to administer to a combative and reluctant patient.

We were able to switch to Lantus on the insulin so I only had to do one injection per day of it instead of the three I had been doing. I could administer one if I distracted dad - usually with lunch - but three became impossible. And then finally we just stopped the Lantus, too. That was a blessing.

Hi Aitan,
We crush the medicines too and mix them in applesauce. The sweetness and acidity help mask the bitter taste. We mix just enough to make a heaping teaspoonfull that gets it down in one try. We tried chocolate pudding with terrible results.
Peace
Eileen

For the pills that could be crushed I would crush them in a
fine powder and mix with a tiny bit of juice (about 1/2 of
a shot glass) and then put a straw (cocktail straw) in shot glass and
tell her it was a special drink.. she usually slurped it up and
wanted more... closer to the end I would do the same only use
less liquid and pull it into a syringe without the needle (10cc size) and then squirt
it under the side of her tongue.

WoW I thought grandpa was creative.. you guys should apply for some patents!

Aitanz
I remembered one other thing I used to do to get BFM
to take her medication. I would get some plain (pastel)
colored M & M and put a few of them in a little
med cup with her pills and tell her it was snack time.
Usually she would hurry and gobble (not even chewing)
them up before I changed my mind and wouldn't let her
have the treat!, then I would give her a small glass
of milk or juice to go along with her snack.

I have also been know to hide meds in brownies
or soft cookies when M & M's weren't available!
Followed by a small glass of milk or juice.. after
all what is snack time without milk??????