Hi
My mum who has been in a care home for 2 years and has now been in a semi conscious state for 3 weeks now, she cannot see, hear, move and is mostly unresponsive aside from the odd moment, when she mumbles. Her GP has informed me that she is end of life and has prescribed morphine for pain, although she does not appear to be in any pain. I also thought he told me that food would be withdrawn but fluids would continue. When I visited her yesterday I had a meeting with 2 of the care team leaders and that I had clarified that the doctor did say no food to be given as she has difficulty swallowing and that no medications would be given unless she was in pain.
Tonight I visited Mum and one of the carers told me she had eaten a jacket potato at lunchtime and that they were continuing to give her food. They had also given her fish which she hates and would never have eaten if she was able to make her own decisions but she cannot. I was very shocked and upset and when I asked why I was told if they did not give her food, they would be neglecting her.
I dont understand what is going on and I will be calling her GP first thing in the morning. It would seem to me they are just prolonging the agony of her life and ignoring the doctors instructions. Has anyone come across this before - I am so confused and feel so helpless that I dont seem to have a say in mums end of life care.
My mum who has been in a care home for 2 years and has now been in a semi conscious state for 3 weeks now, she cannot see, hear, move and is mostly unresponsive aside from the odd moment, when she mumbles. Her GP has informed me that she is end of life and has prescribed morphine for pain, although she does not appear to be in any pain. I also thought he told me that food would be withdrawn but fluids would continue. When I visited her yesterday I had a meeting with 2 of the care team leaders and that I had clarified that the doctor did say no food to be given as she has difficulty swallowing and that no medications would be given unless she was in pain.
Tonight I visited Mum and one of the carers told me she had eaten a jacket potato at lunchtime and that they were continuing to give her food. They had also given her fish which she hates and would never have eaten if she was able to make her own decisions but she cannot. I was very shocked and upset and when I asked why I was told if they did not give her food, they would be neglecting her.
I dont understand what is going on and I will be calling her GP first thing in the morning. It would seem to me they are just prolonging the agony of her life and ignoring the doctors instructions. Has anyone come across this before - I am so confused and feel so helpless that I dont seem to have a say in mums end of life care.
