Posted 3/11/2014 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
I thought I would post an update and see if anyone is familiar with what we are now going through. I ended up the end of December getting hospice for my father. He had forgotten so much, and having a nurse's aide come out every day was great for Dad and us. It was very difficult to give him a shower/bath. I asked the aide to come out early in the morning to give him a shower before breakfast because when his mind was well, he always showered before even coffee. The first time he was given that shower, he was SO happy! He was smiling all day. Unfortunately, Dad got where he had no control over this legs and so it was too hard for the aide to shower him instead giving him a sponge bath. The hospice group were awesome, nurses, doctors, etc. I have seen things I do not like with the home health care team and honestly did not expect so much.
One day my father said that the couch was too hard and he wanted a hospital bed put in the living room. We had the hospice order one and it came within 24 hrs. He was comfortable, could sleep easier during the day, and he was still in an area of the house that we could all see him. It didn't seem to take long and Dad started a deep decline mentally and physically. Around Jan. 12th I called my brothers and told them Dad wouldn't last long and for them to come. They had not been around or helped the entire 2 years I was here. But, despite their lack of involvement, I knew they loved our parents. My eldest brother arrived on a Wednesday and was able to spend time with Dad and be fairly alert. My younger brother came on the next Friday and Dad didn't open his eyes or speak anymore. He passed away on January 19th, my mother's birthday.
My mother seemed to handle it all better than expected. She seemed so strong. I had to stay strong too for her. So I really never cried, and have just looked after her. about 2 weeks ago my mother's health and Alzheimer's took a steep decline. I am very worried about her and no doctors are helping! She sprained her ankle and we are keeping it in a splint type cast and elevating it, as there is a lot of swelling. The odd thing is that there is no bruising or red marks.
Besides having a sprained ankle, mom has had diarrhea, sores on her face and is very sensitive to pain over her entire body. Her potassium is extremely low; 2.4 with normal being 3.5-5.0. All her other blood work was perfect. She's on supplements, but I don't know how long they take to get her levels up to normal. She's also diabetic, but that too on Glucose test was perfect, so the Metformin the doctor had discontinued as they can upset the stomach. Took mom to her gastro dr too, and he took stool samples, .but it seems doubtful he knows anything as he hasn't called. Mom is scheduled to see him on the 17th.
We keep seeing things that Dad did prior to passing from Mom now and it's scaring us. My parents were married for 58 years! She is remembering now more that he has passed. I am so afraid we'll lose her like Dad, and I always thought she'd live another 10 years at least. She's 77 now. If anyone knows anything this could be with the sores and pain sensitivity and possibly the sores being another symptom. I am grateful for any info or help I can get from the community here!
God Bless you all!