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Caregiver Tip Sheets
Medications
People with Alzheimer’s or dementia may need help with taking
their medicine. Taking too much… or too little… or not following
the directions… can be dangerous.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
WATCH CLOSELY
• make sure he or she:
• takes the right number of pills at the right times
WHY DOES • follows the directions on the medication
THIS HAPPEN? • do not leave medications in a pill box or cup on the counter
• do not leave him or her alone to take their medicine
People with Alzheimer’s or
dementia might: LOCK AWAY MEDICINE
• make sure all medications are out of sight and out of reach
• forget to take their
medications
TALK TO ALL THE DOCTORS
• forget that they took their • do not stop giving any medicine without asking
medication, so they take the prescribing doctor first
them again and again • bring all medicines in a bag or box to every doctor
and again • include vitamins, herbs, teas, creams, and other pills from
• get sick or be poisoned the drugstore
because the wrong pills or • ask the doctor if medicines can be mixed into foods or drinks
too many pills were taken • this is helpful if you are having trouble getting your person
to take their pills
NOTE: If you notice sudden changes like violent behaviors or
trouble with bathroom accidents, call the doctor
844.HELP. ALZ • these changes could be caused by a reaction to a medication
AlzheimersLA.org or a new illness
© 2016 Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
Supported by DHHS, ACL (#90AL0002-01-00)
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