Hi,
my mum was diagnosed with dementia (vascular) about 12 months ago - she's now 71. She has been in and out of hospital for the last 12 months and is still at home (my dad doesn't want her to go into care). My dad looks after her full time, but has carers going in to turn her and change her 4 times a day. She has been completely bed bound (not even able to sit up or move) for about 9 months. My dad has had Marie Curie nurses sitting with her at night occasionally, just so he can get some rest, as my mum is agitated all the time.
Last Monday, the district nurses fitted a syringe drive to make her more comfortable, but they have been upping the medication each day as she is so bad.
I sat with her on Saturday so my dad could nip out to get her prescription and she just cried out most of the time I was there. She swears an awful lot too (she never used to!) in fact, that's about the only thing she does say!! She hardly drinks and occasionally has a tiny bit of yoghurt, so she's just skin and bones now.
My dad thinks he needs to keep everything from my brother and myself, so we really don't know what's going on. I did read my mum's notes while my dad was out and found he had signed a DNR.
I have no idea how long my mum has left, but am I right to assume it's only going to be a matter of days because she has the syringe driver fitted?
Sorry for going on a bit, just needed to explain and get some advice really.
Thanks xx
my mum was diagnosed with dementia (vascular) about 12 months ago - she's now 71. She has been in and out of hospital for the last 12 months and is still at home (my dad doesn't want her to go into care). My dad looks after her full time, but has carers going in to turn her and change her 4 times a day. She has been completely bed bound (not even able to sit up or move) for about 9 months. My dad has had Marie Curie nurses sitting with her at night occasionally, just so he can get some rest, as my mum is agitated all the time.
Last Monday, the district nurses fitted a syringe drive to make her more comfortable, but they have been upping the medication each day as she is so bad.
I sat with her on Saturday so my dad could nip out to get her prescription and she just cried out most of the time I was there. She swears an awful lot too (she never used to!) in fact, that's about the only thing she does say!! She hardly drinks and occasionally has a tiny bit of yoghurt, so she's just skin and bones now.
My dad thinks he needs to keep everything from my brother and myself, so we really don't know what's going on. I did read my mum's notes while my dad was out and found he had signed a DNR.
I have no idea how long my mum has left, but am I right to assume it's only going to be a matter of days because she has the syringe driver fitted?
Sorry for going on a bit, just needed to explain and get some advice really.
Thanks xx