Has anyone had a loved one with Alzheimers admitted to hospital with a bladder infection and/or a blocked bowel?
MOH was admitted to hospital nearly 3 weeks ago and was found to have a UTI which was treated with anti biotics. They found he was also constipated and had a blockage in his bowel.
He has been given enemas and laxatives but the bowel is still blocked.
He has eaten very little since he's been there, partly due to delirium which makes him sleep a lot, partly because no one seems to realise that he needs to be given the food and needs help to get it to his mouth. I have offered to go in and feed him at mealtimes but am not allowed as I am restricted to a one hour session each day, booked beforehand.
A week ago he seemed to be improving and I was told that he would probably be discharged this coming week.
The last three days he has really gone downhill and no one can explain why his bowel is still blocked after all this time. As he's eating very little or nothing at all most days, there is no food going through his system to help remove the blockage.
I am constantly told it is all to do with his dementia but it seems that this is an excuse to let him get weaker and weaker until he is no longer their problem.
The day before he was admitted he was active during the day, didn't need any help to eat or drink, was walking up and down the stairs several times a day, could get in and out of bed unaided and understand what was going on.
Now he hasn't been out of bed at all for nearly three weeks, has lost a huge amount of weight and is usually asleep or delirius when I visit.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation, as I cannot believe it should take this long to clear a blockage in the bowel? I am so worried that he is just being left to die.
MOH was admitted to hospital nearly 3 weeks ago and was found to have a UTI which was treated with anti biotics. They found he was also constipated and had a blockage in his bowel.
He has been given enemas and laxatives but the bowel is still blocked.
He has eaten very little since he's been there, partly due to delirium which makes him sleep a lot, partly because no one seems to realise that he needs to be given the food and needs help to get it to his mouth. I have offered to go in and feed him at mealtimes but am not allowed as I am restricted to a one hour session each day, booked beforehand.
A week ago he seemed to be improving and I was told that he would probably be discharged this coming week.
The last three days he has really gone downhill and no one can explain why his bowel is still blocked after all this time. As he's eating very little or nothing at all most days, there is no food going through his system to help remove the blockage.
I am constantly told it is all to do with his dementia but it seems that this is an excuse to let him get weaker and weaker until he is no longer their problem.
The day before he was admitted he was active during the day, didn't need any help to eat or drink, was walking up and down the stairs several times a day, could get in and out of bed unaided and understand what was going on.
Now he hasn't been out of bed at all for nearly three weeks, has lost a huge amount of weight and is usually asleep or delirius when I visit.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation, as I cannot believe it should take this long to clear a blockage in the bowel? I am so worried that he is just being left to die.
