Skip to content
Dementia and Refusing Medications episode artwork

Apr 29, 2026 14 min

Dementia and Refusing Medications

from Dementia & Families: A Balancing Act

When a loved one with dementia refuses their medications, it can feel like an emergency. The risks are real, the pressure is immediate, and the instinct to push for compliance is strong. But in many cases, that resistance is not about defiance—it’s communication. In this episode, Kelly breaks down what’s really behind medication refusal in memory loss, and guides us through methods focusing on protecting both safety and dignity, offering a more effective way to navigate these moments without escalating conflict or damaging trust. FACEBOOK PAGE: Please leave questions for Kelly, or set up a chat! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT! https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss Resources: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/medical/parent-refusing-medication/ https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/senior-health/elderly-parent-wont-take-medication?srsltid=AfmBOoqVi7cqZ_fmYk3NlUY5Ebcup3fZfdLOlpzP1V9NC7NT18G5-8ap The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Episode details come from the podcast's RSS feed.

Embed this episode

Ready to play

Dementia and Refusing Medications

0:00 14:22

No transcript yet.

Requests help us decide what to transcribe next.

Frequently asked questions

How long is this episode of Dementia & Families: A Balancing Act?

This episode is 14 minutes long.

When was this Dementia & Families: A Balancing Act episode published?

This episode was published on April 29, 2026.

Can I download this Dementia & Families: A Balancing Act episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.