9 Strategies to Try When an Aging Parent Won’t Take Their Medication

Caring for an aging parent can be stressful, especially when they won’t take their medication. It’s normal to worry about them getting worse without it. 

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help them out. Let’s look at nine ways to get your parent to take their medications. We’ll also cover reasons why they might not be taking them, and when it’s time to talk to a healthcare professional.

How can you help an elderly parent take their medication?

Your loved one may be more likely to take their medication if you use one or more of the following nine strategies:

1. Simplify their routine

Many senior adults take up to five medications a day. That’s a lot to keep up with. Ask your parent’s care team for ways to simplify your parent’s medications. For example, ask if they can prescribe fewer medications or simplify their dosage schedule.

2. Find alternatives if they have trouble swallowing pills

If your parent has trouble swallowing their medication, you can ask their care team for alternatives. They may be able to swap out pills and capsules for liquid medications. Or they can advise you on whether their pill can be crushed and mixed into food. You can also talk to their care team about other options, such as trading a once-daily pill for a monthly injection.

3. Find lower-cost alternatives

If cost is an issue, ask your loved one’s care team or pharmacist about lower-cost generic medications or medications covered by their insurance plan. You can also ask about savings programs that may be available. 

4. Use pill organizers 

Pill boxes are helpful tools for taking medications on schedule. Check out various pill organizers and choose the one that’s best for your loved one. 

Pill organizer options include:

• Weekly organizers for pills that are taken once a day

• Multidose organizers for medications that are taken multiple times a day

• Push-button organizers that are easy to open if your parent has arthritis or limited hand mobility

• Smart pill dispensers that beep and dispense pills when it’s time to take medication

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5. Educate them about their medication

If your parent doesn’t understand why they need medication, have a talk with them. Go over patient education literature with them or schedule a visit with their care team to discuss. Let them know their medication helps to keep their heart healthy or manages their diabetes.

6. Call or visit them regularly

Call to remind them, send them a text reminder, or stop by to help your loved one remember to take their medications. If you have a conflict, have a relative, friend, or paid caregiver call on them when they’re supposed to take their medication.

7. Set alarm clocks or mobile app reminders

An alarm clock going off or a virtual assistant announcing, “It’s time to take your medication,” can remind your parent without you having to call them. You can also help them set up apps on their phone that send automated reminders. Mobile apps have been shown to lower the number of missed medication doses. 

8. Create a routine

A consistent routine may help your loved one stay on track. For example, they can take a pill with breakfast, another with lunch, and a third with dinner or at bedtime. Work with your parent and their care team to create a manageable schedule.

9. Keep communication lines open

Build healthy communication between you, your parent, and their care team. Your parent may not understand their healthcare professional’s instructions or may not know what questions to ask about a medication. As a caregiver, be prepared to act as their advocate and mediator. 

Why can taking medication be challenging for older parents?

As parents get older, they face many health challenges that can make it even more difficult to keep up with their treatment regimen.

Common reasons that prevent older adults from taking their medication include: 

• Unpleasant side effects

• Fear of experiencing unpleasant side effects

• Not knowing enough about why the medication is prescribed

• Unpleasant taste

• Forgetfulness

• Hearing loss that prevents them from understanding their care team’s instructions

• Difficulty reading labels 

• High cost

• Difficulty swallowing pills

• Too many medications and doses to keep track of

• Mistrust of their doctors or pharmaceutical companies

• Painful joints that make it hard to open bottles, give themselves shots, or split pills

• Belief they no longer need medication due to lack of symptoms

What are the dangers of refusing medication?

Not taking medication can lead to serious outcomes, such as:

• Worsening medical condition

• Disease progression

• Hospitalizations

• Lower quality of life

• Increased medical costs

• Increased need for nursing homes

• More ER visits

• Death

When should you talk to a doctor about a family member who refuses to take medication?

It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional any time a loved one says no to taking their medication. The more informed you are, the better you can help your parent live a healthy life.

Here’s a list of scenarios that suggest it’s time to talk with their provider. It’s not exhaustive, but if you find yourself in a similar situation, schedule time to speak with a healthcare professional:

• You’re not sure if the medication is necessary.

• You have questions about the effects of not taking medication.

• You notice symptoms getting worse, such as higher blood pressure or more memory lapses.

• Your parent has a mental health condition, such as major depression, and their symptoms have become unmanageable.

• They’re going to the ER or hospital often.

• They can’t afford their prescriptions. 

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Written by:

Ana Gascon

Ana Gascon has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, with 8 years in health and medical content work. She is a versatile health and medical content creator who writes about acute conditions, chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and health equity.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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