crushing meds, best foods to disguise taste

[heynow1313]

Hey!

I am helping a friend of mine whose mother is in the moderate phase of ALZ. She's having difficulty swallowing and often simply doesn't want to take her pills altogether. I've looked over her medlist and identified those meds that can be safely crushed.

My question is what, in your experience, are the best foods and liquids to mask the taste of the meds. For other health reasons- they avoid giving her sugary sweets like applesauce, pudding, and ice cream so I'm looking for alternatives to those.

Thanks so much

[wanderlustnurse88, RN]

I would say chocolate pudding would best mask the taste of most medications, although you said that they are looking to avoid sugary foods. Maybe some yogurt would work.

[artisticmind]

Yogurt or sugar-free puddings

[heynow1313]

thanks guys.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Hey!

I am helping a friend of mine whose mother is in the moderate phase of ALZ. She's having difficulty swallowing and often simply doesn't want to take her pills altogether. I've looked over her medlist and identified those meds that can be safely crushed.

My question is what, in your experience, are the best foods and liquids to mask the taste of the meds. For other health reasons- they avoid giving her sugary sweets like applesauce, pudding, and ice cream so I'm looking for alternatives to those.

Thanks so much

Please encourage your friend to seek some support from organizations like the Alzheimer's association.She needs education as well.Why would she choose to deprive her mother of foods food pleasure when she has a terminal disease?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

1. Sugar-free jellies and jams

2. Sugar-free chocolate or butterscotch pudding

3. Light fruity-flavored yogurt

4. Strawberry or orange preserves

5. Chocolate or strawberry ice cream

[canigraduate]

Put 'em in whatever she'll eat. I hide pills in mashed potatoes, gravy, stew, eggs, cheese, anything that is mushable or stirrable.

I once had a lady who would only take her pills dissolved in warm milk. Eww.

I second ktwlpn, why take away foods? She's dying.

[heynow1313]

thanks to all who have given recommendations. I have absolutely educated the family about many things. The patient is far from terminal, although her disease is a terminal one. They believe she has many good years ahead of her and she's ambulatory, continent, enjoys activities, etc.... She does have co-morbidities which they are trying to manage so as not to complicate her health. I see both points of view. Thank you again for all the suggestions.

[simbawicz]

While I don't have any new suggestions for you (that have not already been suggested) I usually suggest that FAVORITE foods be avoided. Use something the patient likes, but not loves. Guard the favorite in case the medicine alters the taste of the food. That way the patient still derives pleasure from food.

[heynow1313]

While I don't have any new suggestions for you (that have not already been suggested) I usually suggest that FAVORITE foods be avoided. Use something the patient likes, but not loves. Guard the favorite in case the medicine alters the taste of the food. That way the patient still derives pleasure from food.

that's a really good point

[simbawicz]

I learned it in nursing school in peds rotation, but now I am a hospice nurse, and it is just as important once tastes or texture needs change.

[heynow1313]

I learned it in nursing school in peds rotation, but now I am a hospice nurse, and it is just as important once tastes or texture needs change.

you are absolutely right, and I thank you for reminding me of that. Hospice is amazing, btw, kudos to you for what you do.