Hi everyone,
Quick overview - dad went into nursing home in November last year fully mobile and communicating. Broke his hip in December -no longer mobile and markedly more confused and depressed. He has lost 18lb in the last month - not eating or drinking well. I wonder if there is something physical going on too but he resists all interventions and wont allow blood to be taken. He's only a little man anyway and can't afford to lose more weight. When I went to see him yesterday, he had no dentures in and I found them by his bed - they were disgustingly dirty. He had a very gunky mouth and when I requested mouth care I was told he wouldn't let them do it. I cleaned his teeth and left them to soak. I asked for the stuff to clean his moth and they provided me with this and I managed to clean it a bit. Where does the fine line between accepting someones refusal and being forceful to ensure their wellbeing stand? Surely no-one will eat and drink with a mouthful of gunk!! I just don't want to turn into one of these over complaining relatives but want his welfare to come first. I feel so guilty that this deterioration has happened since he went into care.
Thanks for listening and I would appreciate any comments or advice.
XX
Quick overview - dad went into nursing home in November last year fully mobile and communicating. Broke his hip in December -no longer mobile and markedly more confused and depressed. He has lost 18lb in the last month - not eating or drinking well. I wonder if there is something physical going on too but he resists all interventions and wont allow blood to be taken. He's only a little man anyway and can't afford to lose more weight. When I went to see him yesterday, he had no dentures in and I found them by his bed - they were disgustingly dirty. He had a very gunky mouth and when I requested mouth care I was told he wouldn't let them do it. I cleaned his teeth and left them to soak. I asked for the stuff to clean his moth and they provided me with this and I managed to clean it a bit. Where does the fine line between accepting someones refusal and being forceful to ensure their wellbeing stand? Surely no-one will eat and drink with a mouthful of gunk!! I just don't want to turn into one of these over complaining relatives but want his welfare to come first. I feel so guilty that this deterioration has happened since he went into care.
Thanks for listening and I would appreciate any comments or advice.
XX