Managing Medications for Someone with Dementia 

When caring for someone with memory loss, medication safety is essential. Keep track of prescriptions and ask the right questions to avoid problems. 

Stay Organized  

• Keep a current list of all medications and who prescribed them. 
• Note the dosage, timing, and frequency for each medication. 
• Carry copies of the list to doctor visits or the pharmacy.  

Make It Easier    

• Use a pillbox with labeled days or times. 
• Call or leave reminder notes if your loved one lives alone. 
• Lock up medications as the disease progresses. 
• If pills are hard to swallow, ask the pharmacist about liquid forms or crushing options. 

Some medications may help manage symptoms like anxiety or aggression. These should only be used under a doctor’s guidance after other strategies have been tried. 

Top Tip: Journaling is such a useful habit to take up as a caregiver, for so many reasons. You can use a section of your journal to track medications and note your observations of how your loved one’s reactions change over time.   

Ask These Questions

• What is the medicine for? 
• When and how should it be taken? 
• How much and for how long? 
• What side effects should I watch for? 
• Will it interact with other medications?  

Always report new symptoms and ask before changing medications.

FAQs

Can I mix medications in food?

Ask your pharmacist. Not all medicines are safe to crush or mix.

When should I lock up medications?

Start doing so if your loved one shows confusion or tries to take the wrong pills.

Where can I get more help with medication management? 

Visit nia.nih.gov or call the ADEAR Center at 1-800-438-4380. You can always call your primary care provider, too.