Oh Stephanie,
you poor thing, this is so quick. Why on earth did they opt for a locked dementia ward for a man so ill? Beggars belief, and you must be dreadfully shocked that his decline wasn't even temporarily arrested. To me it sounds as though your lovely father's body has made its own decision and in refusing the very food which prolongs the indignity and suffering of dementia, is wrestling back control one last time.
When my SF was at this point my aim was to do anything that gave comfort and relief from pain and fear. I think you said he's already in an air bed, does that obviate the need for turning? The three people I've been with at the end each found being turned a trial, so by my SF's time I requested this be kept to the absolute minimum, and I'm glad I did.
But we should be discussing adjustment issues and lost hearing aids and the crazy antics of other residents so soon after admission, and I can only guess how hard the palliative care path is to fathom when you've really had no time to prepare, your head must be spinning.
Wishing you all the strength and courage in the world,
Toni xxx
you poor thing, this is so quick. Why on earth did they opt for a locked dementia ward for a man so ill? Beggars belief, and you must be dreadfully shocked that his decline wasn't even temporarily arrested. To me it sounds as though your lovely father's body has made its own decision and in refusing the very food which prolongs the indignity and suffering of dementia, is wrestling back control one last time.
When my SF was at this point my aim was to do anything that gave comfort and relief from pain and fear. I think you said he's already in an air bed, does that obviate the need for turning? The three people I've been with at the end each found being turned a trial, so by my SF's time I requested this be kept to the absolute minimum, and I'm glad I did.
But we should be discussing adjustment issues and lost hearing aids and the crazy antics of other residents so soon after admission, and I can only guess how hard the palliative care path is to fathom when you've really had no time to prepare, your head must be spinning.
Wishing you all the strength and courage in the world,
Toni xxx