Rose Mary,

I am glad to hear that you have received helpful advice in assisting your mom with her medication regimen. Crushing pills into mixtures can be effective but only if that the medication has been approved for crushing by a physician and/or pharmacist. Although this can help her with swallowing the medication, you can also help to make the process easier by setting up a comfortable environment for her even before she takes it. For some individuals, the idea of swallowing medication can be more aversive than the medication itself. It is possible that your mother is turned off to the medication because she has associated it with something negative, which could lead to feelings of fear and anxiety. If so, the mere idea of it being "medication time" can make her restless even before the pills are given. Although it seems that you might have solved the pill-swallowing dilemma, I can offer some suggestions on how to ease some of the tension. If you notice that she is starting to get restless, try adjusting the environment to make it as comfortable and calm as possible. You might want to turn on some soft music, light a few aromatherapy candles, or offer her something warm and soothing like a cup of hot chocolate, a familiar blanket, or a teddy bear. The sound of your voice might help to calm her down as well. If you like to sing, try singing her favorite tune, and encourage her to join in. If you have a pet, it might help to comfort her as well by holding the pet. Stroking the soft fur of an animal or feeling the warm weight on her lap can be surprisingly relaxing. Some individuals with dementia also respond well to small children or baby dolls that resemble children. The idea is to get creative as possible and try utilizing all options in a trial-and-error fashion until you come up with the perfect formula for your mom.

Also, if you haven't done so already, you might want to follow up with your mother's physician to assess for any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to her restlessness.