Follow
Share

I am posting my question again - I posted my question last week as "dehydrated" but no further details. So, my father has late-stage dementia and he lives at home with my and my mother. He's unintelligible, confused, and some days eats very little. He can usually feed himself using a fork or spoon, but most days, he's just not interested. He has developed dependent edema of the calves and ankles. It's been this way for a few weeks and he has showed signs of slowing down and is tired. He is receiving in-home hospice services. They are treating him with Ted hose. My questions is that 2 members of the extended family feel that we are not doing enough - that a hospital ER visit is in order. I've contacted numerous medical professionals beyond those at hospice and all are in agreement that a hospital stay would not benefit a person with dementia - especially in the stage my father is in. I am struggling with guilt, but don't want to traumatize my father. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Oh Sweetie, Stop with the Guilt! You are doing Everything you are supposed to be doing, now that he is a Hospice patient, All of your concerns should go through them, and they will do their very best to guide you, and to make him comfortable as possible!

At this point in the Hospice care, patient do not go to the Hospital, Ever, unless they break a bone, or their pain becomes unbearable, and unmanageable at home, and even then, you call your Hospice care organization, and they will guide you on this!

You need to tell the others who are pressuring you, that you are taking care of his every need, and that Hospice is on top of it.

Of course you know that this is the beginning of the end, and that your Dad is at the end of his life. You need to be Strong now, and when you don't feel strong, call Hospice, and again, they will be there for you! They can send out a nurse or clergy to help settle your nerves, so that you can be ready to face what is to come.

If at any time you cannot manage him anymore, they can put him inpatient into a facility (generally a Nursing home), or a Hospice Hospital.

These are difficult times, I'm doing in home Hospice for my FIL at this very moment too!

I cannot express enough, how you need to communicate with your Hospice team! If nessesary, ask your Nurse to speak with those family members who do not understand what end of life, Quality of life and Comfort care is all about.

Him going to the hospital is only going to prolong the inevitable, and will be difficult on your Dad. Let him be, in his own bed, and bring the Hospice professionals to him! I'm so sorry that this is so hard! I'm right there with you! Take Care!
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Your concerns should be asked to the RN in charge of his care. She should be able to give u an informed answer. There should be a Dr. too.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

If your dad is in hospice, this kind of EOL situation is not unusual. Does dad have a DNR stating what measures he wants taken to sustain life?

If he has requested "no interventional measures" then adding a diuretic or something to reduce the swelling would go against the wording of the DNR. Doctors hate this kind of thing--families fighting in the hallway over last ditch efforts to keep a loved alive a few more miserable days......

Keep him comfortable at home. And hang on, it will get worse, in some ways.

My best guess? The busybody relatives were never a part of the caregiving team all along, were they?

I am sorry for what you are now enduring, bless you in this time of challenge!!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

No, do not do the ER. About 6 months ago my mom had a seizure. I panicked and called 911. Big mistake! I had to fight with the ER doctor to get her released. I will never do that again. I now know how to handle the seizures.
Allow hospice to help you to keep your father comfortable and well cared for until the end. We are at about the same point as you. Much peace to you all.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Ugh - I HATE busybodies who don't understand the reality of the situation. Your father is in the later stage of his life. Your goal at this point is to keep him comfortable in a familiar setting. He's not going to get better, he has Alzheimers.

I had the same situations with my mom who had heart issues. She was 97.5 and her cardiologist had basically said he'd done what he could for her afib. I could have rushed her back to him or to the ER when she started showing signs of more heart issues, but what was the point? She was ready to go and didn't want any further treatment. Luckily I didn't have nosey relatives second-guessing my decisions. I brought hospice in and she passed away in her own bed, just like she wanted.

So don't listen to people who don't/can't face the reality of your situation. You are doing the right thing. {{{{Hugs}}}}
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Ask the busybodies what they think a hospital stay will accomplish! Tell them they need to be clear and specific, a vague "so he'll feel better" or "to find out what's going on" isn't good enough. Point out that hospital stays are traumatic, especially for those with dementia, and in no way will make him feel better, and that the edema is the result of his heart/kidneys reaching the end of their capability to function and there is no cure for that. I'm glad you have a good hospice team to help keep him comfortable at home!
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter