My husband died on Monday. He had been diagnosed with altziemers/dementia some 8 years ago. Since January he was in hospital for 2 months, back out for 3 weeks, then back in for just over a week. During all of that time you would think they would have discovered he had massive cancer tumours of the lungs, liver, stomach and bones. It seems to me, that because he had altziemers/dementia, others problems were not considered. John had lost the ability to speak and so was unable to tell them he was in pain. However they should have found out with blood tests, x-rays scans or something. He was in there long enough.
ONE OTHER THING--------- In England you need to have the person you are caring for assessed for CHC by a social worker, (continuing health care) especially if they are in hospital. This is what has to be done to see whether he/she fits the criteria for NHS funding. Check what the nurses are putting in to the patients charts every day. We found they were ticking everthing regardless of the patients true patterns of eating, toileting, walking unaided, getting in and out of bed independantly. etc. Take cars of yourseves as well as your patient. Hope this helps a little.
ONE OTHER THING--------- In England you need to have the person you are caring for assessed for CHC by a social worker, (continuing health care) especially if they are in hospital. This is what has to be done to see whether he/she fits the criteria for NHS funding. Check what the nurses are putting in to the patients charts every day. We found they were ticking everthing regardless of the patients true patterns of eating, toileting, walking unaided, getting in and out of bed independantly. etc. Take cars of yourseves as well as your patient. Hope this helps a little.