Hello, I haven't been on this forum for a very long time. I am hoping someone on here can help me with some information/advice, but I need to start with some background so sorry for the long story!
Mum was diagnosed with dementia some 7 or so years a go, and after a very traumatic period when even with carers 4 times a day she was so agitated that she could not be left alone for even a few minutes without panicking. 5 years ago last June we arranged for her to move to a residential care home where she has been very well looked after - it feels like the staff treat her like a family member. Over this time she has gradually deteriorated physically, but mentally she seems to hold up well (she has no short term memory at all, but her old memories are still there and she knows us all and still joined in family events until very recently).
Mum will be 93 next month, and over the last couple of months she has gone downhill fast after a chest infection. It was while diagnosing this that the GP noticed a hear murmer and a blood test showed high levels of BNP which apparently indicates heart failure. Gp referred her for an echo cArdiogram, for which she has to attend our local hospital.
My question is, what will an ECG show? And if there is a murmer, if there is heart failure, how will knowing that help? I kind of feel that the whole trauma of a trip to hospital is not worth putting her through. Mum has recorded her preferred priorities for health, which states she does not want any treatments that are invasive or to extend life (such as PEG feeding) and to avoid hospital admissions unless for injury. The home agree witH the approach and are happy for her to remain in their care. I am very close to my Mum, and she has been happy with her life, but not afraid to go. I have LPA for health and welfare.
I'm not even sure what I am asking - I guess I would like to say don't bother with the ECG because we would prefer to decline any treatment for a failing heart. But I feel so guilty just saying that. All I want is for Mum to be comfortable, and allowed to go at some point when her body is ready (her mind is already there - the nature of her dementia means we are able to discuss these things fully, even though 10 minutes later she does not recall our discussion!). I just feel so sad for her as she fades away, and don't want to prolong her suffering. I'm pretty sure Mum will be with us for a while yet, and I'm thankful for that. But looking ahead I can see this could come up more and more, and am struggling to know how to approach the issue with medical professionals.
Sorry this is so long - I know there aren't any answers but I would be interested to hear from others who have been here, and how you have dealt with these sorts of issues over diagnosis and treatment.
Many thanks
Mum was diagnosed with dementia some 7 or so years a go, and after a very traumatic period when even with carers 4 times a day she was so agitated that she could not be left alone for even a few minutes without panicking. 5 years ago last June we arranged for her to move to a residential care home where she has been very well looked after - it feels like the staff treat her like a family member. Over this time she has gradually deteriorated physically, but mentally she seems to hold up well (she has no short term memory at all, but her old memories are still there and she knows us all and still joined in family events until very recently).
Mum will be 93 next month, and over the last couple of months she has gone downhill fast after a chest infection. It was while diagnosing this that the GP noticed a hear murmer and a blood test showed high levels of BNP which apparently indicates heart failure. Gp referred her for an echo cArdiogram, for which she has to attend our local hospital.
My question is, what will an ECG show? And if there is a murmer, if there is heart failure, how will knowing that help? I kind of feel that the whole trauma of a trip to hospital is not worth putting her through. Mum has recorded her preferred priorities for health, which states she does not want any treatments that are invasive or to extend life (such as PEG feeding) and to avoid hospital admissions unless for injury. The home agree witH the approach and are happy for her to remain in their care. I am very close to my Mum, and she has been happy with her life, but not afraid to go. I have LPA for health and welfare.
I'm not even sure what I am asking - I guess I would like to say don't bother with the ECG because we would prefer to decline any treatment for a failing heart. But I feel so guilty just saying that. All I want is for Mum to be comfortable, and allowed to go at some point when her body is ready (her mind is already there - the nature of her dementia means we are able to discuss these things fully, even though 10 minutes later she does not recall our discussion!). I just feel so sad for her as she fades away, and don't want to prolong her suffering. I'm pretty sure Mum will be with us for a while yet, and I'm thankful for that. But looking ahead I can see this could come up more and more, and am struggling to know how to approach the issue with medical professionals.
Sorry this is so long - I know there aren't any answers but I would be interested to hear from others who have been here, and how you have dealt with these sorts of issues over diagnosis and treatment.
Many thanks