My wife's condition (in care home) deteriorated rapidly a week ago, from up and being fed, to being bedridden in own room, not taking soft food or even fortified drink (FortiSip), only small sips of water. GP said she is in a bad way and nothing more he can do for her. Her records indicate that carers who come in every hour or so, record she is either asleep or refusing drink, except for a few sips of water. She is comatose, yet when I go in I raise her head, and manage to get her to drink up to 100 mls of water from a feeder cup with small holes, in small amounts each time until audibly swallowed. The Fortisip label says it should be kept refrigerated and discarded after 24 hours but the bottle is left on bedside table at room temperature.
I go in twice a day, because she appears not to have much longer, and without food or drink, will surely soon fade away. I am considering taking in something like a fatless yoghurt, and a glucose/vit C drink which she should be able to swallow. She cannot speak but I think (or like to think) that she can hear and understand me, so I talk to her all the while.
Am I only putting off the inevitable by giving her sustenance? I wish I knew what to do for the best for her sake.
I go in twice a day, because she appears not to have much longer, and without food or drink, will surely soon fade away. I am considering taking in something like a fatless yoghurt, and a glucose/vit C drink which she should be able to swallow. She cannot speak but I think (or like to think) that she can hear and understand me, so I talk to her all the while.
Am I only putting off the inevitable by giving her sustenance? I wish I knew what to do for the best for her sake.