Since yesterday. He has low sodium, is dehydrated, and has high blood sugar (yesterday it was in the 400's and today in the 300's). I'm hoping the hospital can help but he is just sleeping, sleeping, sleeping. I asked hospice to take him off so he could go to the emergency room. I'm not understanding the sleeping and if it's from these diagnoses. The hospital has him on bed rest and IV fluids only.
The hospital social worker has already called today asking what I want to do (nursing home) and will be calling back Monday.
I gave him his opportunity back in his home which now I'm regretting. It's only one month later.
I'm not sure if these conditions would cause him to be sleeping and unresponsive. He will open his eyes a second and then close again.
As Maddaughter50 said in her post, "Life is getting so depressing"
Presumably, this meant that he (and you) accepted that he was dying, if not imminently, then within a few months. And that he wanted no more trips to the hospital, poking, tests, and investigations.
Has dad changed his mind about that?
Why are you continuing to try to "fix" a dying man?
I am so sorry if that sounds cruel or heartless. But hospice is about letting go.
Otherwise, write your questions down, ask if an attending physician is available to talk to or the head nurse in the unit.
Even hospice is baffled because dad was full of life Thursday morning and then come Friday a sharp turn. We had some concerns about his arrangements at home and were getting ready to move him to a nursing home. We are probably too late.
I feel like I am missing information to answer this.
He lived in my/hubby's home for eight months but then hubby was ready for him to either go to his home or a nursing home. My sister that lived in his home was saying he could not come back. Dad was saying he was not going into a nursing home no matter how I or the agents of the nursing home presented the benefits.
Neither his primary doctors nor any of his specialists had given up on him or had given him a 6 months life expectancy. Hospice had not said he was getting ready to pass and he was NOT on morphine. They were baffled by the sudden turn on Friday but a week ago started having concerns about his care at home. We were going to give it two more weeks before pulling him but this happened.
Hospice got us a one-week respite stay but dad still wanted home. We agreed to a month trial with the sister that lives in his home and had the Medicaid waiver program with a worker coming in for 5 hours morning and 5 hours evening. He knew he was back at home. But here we are with the hospitalist saying his diagnosis is dehydration, low sodium, high blood sugar, and added on yesterday pneumonia in his left lung.
Yesterday he was a bit better and the hospitalist said he was more alert but still not out of the woods yet. Yesterday since he was alert they asked me to see if he would take in any of the soft foods and liquids brought in by mouth. He was able to take in some. He spoke a couple of times and even opened his eyes off and on to see who was entering the room whereas for two days he was not doing this at all.
He went to the hospital for treatment because hospice and I agreed it was okay and they would be willing to pick him back up. Thanks to those who responded.
"What happens if your body is low on sodium?
Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Severe hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death."
This could be why Dad is sleeping. Things can turn around in a moment when it comes to the elderly. A cousin was ready to come home after having his bladder removed. His wife left the room, came back and he was gone. Your Dad has low sodium, that is serious in the elderly.
I think you need to get yourself in the mindset that this is it. Then u can make a better decision.
In the NH my Mom showed signs the end was near. First she started humming then it got so loud meds were needed to calm her down because this was an anxiety. Then she closed her eyes and never opened them again. Then she wouldn't get out of bed. Didn't want to be touched. I got a call she was having problems swallowing and they wanted to send her to the hospital. I said no, all they would do is poke and prod her. Hospice was called in and Mom passed 6 days later. I had to let her go, she was 89.
If the SW is asking for an answer concerning a SNF its because your Dad needs to be discharged. There is no more they can do. Medicare is not going to pay. Now the decision need to be made, SNF with Hospice or bring him home on Hospice.
So sorry you have to make this decision.
Thanks, for all the responses.
See All Answers