My 94 yr old mother (with dementia) that lives with me is sick with a really bad cold. As Dr instructed took to ER, they did chest X-ray and nothing else. Back at home she will not take any medication, use a nasal spray, take a hot shower or even sit in bathrm with shower running. Refuses to drink hot liquids. Says she knows how to take care of herself, the end. After a solid week cough is not better. I have hit a wall. Do I just leave her be? She would die before she accepts my help.
Allow your mother to live out the rest of her life on HER terms, I suppose. What kind of a 'life' is it with dementia, anyway? That's what I often wonder. I'm using the palliative care approach with my mother who will be 93 at the end of this month, because we've already saved her life around 4 or 5 times and she says she wants to die. She's had enough. I can't blame her.
Wishing you lots of good luck handing such a tough situation. My heart hurts for you.
Also, "sneakery" in these instances is not out of the question if it's in their best interest...can you sneak her meds into her food? Can you come up with a "therapeutic lie" about why she needs to take a hot shower or use nasal spray? I'm not a medical professional but if she seems to develop a fever she will need to go to Urgent Care or ER asap if she's still also coughing. Good luck!