How do you get a sick person to eat? My dad is so sick that he refuses to even take his medication!?

Question

One of the meds he has to take is in liquid form. Another is a pill. I am becoming so desperate that I am thinking of forcing the liquid in his mouth, because if he doesn't take it, he may become even sicker. I realize he will probably spit some of the liquid out if I force it in his mouth, but at least he might swallow some of it.

Answer 1

I understand how worried and frustrated you must feel. You don't mention whether your father is expected to recover, or if he's eligible for hospice care, but that would change how you respond to this situation.

If he's in a recovery mode, then you need to contact his physician immediately - that doctor may have you bring him in (even if it's by ambulance on a stretcher), or he may refer you to the hospital. You MIGHT get your father to take the pill for if you put it in a little applesauce, but if he's already not tolerating the liquid, then this may not be effective either.

If your father is in the final stages of an illness, then swallowing may be a real issue for him, and all the pill-prodding and tube feeding in the world won't make a difference. (I don't say that lightly or without compassion - we lost my Dad to cancer two years ago, and my Mom is bed-bound in the final stages of myeloma today....) I'm telling you this to take some of the pressure off of you. If there's hope, get help from the doctor. If it's palliative care only, then you may just have to accept this and allow things to take their course.

Either way - whether it's his doctor or a hospice caregiver, there is help available to you! Call someone!

Best wishes -

Answer 2

You haven't said why he is refusing to take it. Do you know why? Understanding why will probably help you find an answer. Your question reminded me of a time that I was so sick with some type of stomach flu that the thought of putting anything in my mouth was nausiating. I was brought to the emergancy room barely able to walk, or talk because I was so miserable and dehydrated. I remember the nurse trying to get me to take some tylenol and I kept refusing, he then said something about giving it to me as a suppository and suddenly I found the strength to swallow the pills. The other day, I was actually that sick again...and didn't want to eat, but the very first thing I did was take some tylenol. I remebered how much better I felt after taking it that time.

This may have nothing to do with your situation, but maybe your father doesn't realize how the medicine will help, maybe the medicine has not helped and this is his way of expressing that, or maybe he is just nausiated by the thought of ingesting anything and doesn't think he can.

Personally, I think the best advice is to contact his doctor and see what options are available and if things get really bad, take him to the emergency room. If anything, I would imagine the stress of dealing with a sick parent is hard enough as it is, if you get a few hours in the ER, the validation and support may help you both feel better. Good luck.

Answer 3

You might want to talk to his doctors about a feeding tube for right now. I don't want to say this but if you father is an old man, his body might be winding down. My grandmother and grandfather both stopped eating about 4 days before they passed.

If he was not gotten any real medication or nurishment, call the hospital. Once he is in the hospital they will most likley get a feeding tube in him pretty quick.

Answer 4

Try to mix it (either the liquid or a pill) in a fruit smootie or shake. My dad (who died of cancer) started to refuse to eat and take the medicine. I put it in tasty things and told him he can take the medicine later but for now he can have a treat. He couldn't turn down something sweet, and he was getting some nutrition. Try to make the smootie with milk, egg whites, fruits etc. so you know it will have some nutrients. Hope things work out for you.

Answer 5

Sips of ANY liquid he likes (not alcohol), try peach juice from canned peaches, lukewarm chicken broth, jello, pudding. Maybe his problem is an inability to swallow, in which case you need to have him assessed by a speech pathologist at a local hospital/health care facility.

Answer 6

in a health care setting(hospital/nursing home )pts have the right to refuse treatment meds food ect,i dont know how this applies in a home setting with family members.i will find out because i want to know.if he has a will it could be in there want medical care he wants doesnt.he may also have a medical power of attorney ,if so whoever that is contact them.you could try ensure its like a milkshake w/nutrients in it it comes in flavors like chocolate,strawberry,butter pecan vanilla if you could get him to drink that you could put his liquid med in and depending on what the pill is you could crush it and put it in there to BUT you need to check withdr or pharmacist to see if the pill can be crushed(very important to find thet out and also if it would mix ok with the liquid med).tyr to gently presuade him to eat/drink find foods drinks he likes meds can also be added to food regular meal or applesauce,pudding etc.a feeding tube is a option .me personally i wouldnt want nor use one for my family

Answer 7

You sound very concerned for you father. Unfortunately your father has the right to refuse food, meds, or anything else he wants to. You do not have the right to force him to do anything. If he has not filled out a statement about life-saving measures and is able to at least communicate his wishes regarding life-saving measures, you may want to find out what his wishes are. None of us like seeing our parent's suffer or like to face losing them, but we need to let them make their own choices and die with dignity and as pain-free as possible. Contact his doctor and find out your options. Sorry for your dad's illness and appreciating you being there for him--as hard as it is.