Sorry to be a pain everyone! I only seem to write on here when I have a query, but you are always so full of good advice and I never seem to get any advice from the professionals.
My mother is in her 10th year of Vascular Dementia/Alzheimers, living in her own home with carers (or me, when I'm not working). In October I wrote on here because even liquidised food seemed to be making her choke, you all gave me good tips and the Speech Therapist finally came in March and just said carry on as we are, and thankfully told the doctor that a peg was not a good idea, so I don't have to make the decision. Mummy does seem to be okish with liquidised food at the moment, though still has her off days. What I really want to ask about now is what if she is choking when she is not eating - she sits in her chair 'watching television'/snoozing and then starts choking. It obviously hurts, as she screws her face up in pain-she can no longer speak so can't tell me where it hurts. The Gp says that her chest is clear. Has anyone any clues what is causing this and whether anything can be done. Am presuming because of her poor swallowing she is getting saliva stuck in her throat - but would obviously love to do something if possible.
Another mini query!- because her walking/balance is going/gone it is hard to change pads etc - she is not bed bound yet, so I don't change them when she's lying down. Has anyone hints as to change pads without us both being in danger of falling over?
Thank you in advance.
Lucy
My mother is in her 10th year of Vascular Dementia/Alzheimers, living in her own home with carers (or me, when I'm not working). In October I wrote on here because even liquidised food seemed to be making her choke, you all gave me good tips and the Speech Therapist finally came in March and just said carry on as we are, and thankfully told the doctor that a peg was not a good idea, so I don't have to make the decision. Mummy does seem to be okish with liquidised food at the moment, though still has her off days. What I really want to ask about now is what if she is choking when she is not eating - she sits in her chair 'watching television'/snoozing and then starts choking. It obviously hurts, as she screws her face up in pain-she can no longer speak so can't tell me where it hurts. The Gp says that her chest is clear. Has anyone any clues what is causing this and whether anything can be done. Am presuming because of her poor swallowing she is getting saliva stuck in her throat - but would obviously love to do something if possible.
Another mini query!- because her walking/balance is going/gone it is hard to change pads etc - she is not bed bound yet, so I don't change them when she's lying down. Has anyone hints as to change pads without us both being in danger of falling over?
Thank you in advance.
Lucy
