Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Elderly parents
Original poster

DF in medical emergency at care home

34 replies

LaBelleSauvage123 · 28/11/2023 19:08

DF has deteriorated over the last few days and is struggling to breathe. Dr came today and said his lungs sound clear but she thinks he has an upper respiratory infection. This is complicated by dementia and an old neck injury which has affected his swallow. He is on the respect pathway, so no admittance to hospital for invasive treatment. They are giving him morphine/Midazolam but it doesn’t seem to be helping. The home staff seem panicked - they haven’t seen this before - but are reluctant to call an ambulance. It’s particularly bad at night. I am terrified that he’s going to die in distress, unable to breathe. Surely in these sorts of situations, paramedics ( or an OOH dr) can come out and give stronger meds? Has anyone got any advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 28/11/2023 19:24

ThAnks for all your replies - I’m going over now and my sister is already there. Yes we do feel that he’s probably at end of life but don’t want him to die in distress.

OP posts:
CompanyisComing · 28/11/2023 19:23

LaBelleSauvage123 · 28/11/2023 19:16

There’s a nurse at the home who’s overseeing everything but he seems a bit casual tbh. The home don’t give oxygen - we asked that earlier

Is your DF funded for nursing care? I should think so with his Dementia diagnosis and swallowing difficulties - and in this case the nurse should absolutely be stepping up to completely manage your dads current condition, the anxieties of the care staff and liaising with you about what is going on.

DN’s won’t visit where there is a registered nurse caring for the patient.

HappyHamsters · 28/11/2023 19:23

Yes the nurse should call for medical advice unless he is on the palliative care agreed by his doctor and this would be documented

CompanyisComing · 28/11/2023 19:21

Is your DF in a nursing home or a care home?

Do the DN’s visit to administer the morphine and midazolam?

OP, I’m just wondering if anyone has spoken to you about the prognosis for this illness? Have they suggested that your DF may not survive this respiratory illness? If they’ve started giving subcutaneous morphine and midazolam they usually form part of the “End of Life/Just in Case/Anticipatory Medication” prescription and suggest that the end might be near. If he has any rattley chest/throat secretions then he can also be given some Hyoscine to help dry those up.

It’s really not okay that the care staff are so flustered by it that they’re passing that same anxiety onto you, this really cannot be the first occasion they’ve come across with someone in this set of circumstances.

Can you speak to the home manager about things and see if they can get him reviewed by own GP or OOH GP tonight?

GP can possibly arrange home oxygen if necessary to relieve distress, rather than prolong life.

SkyFullofStars1975 · 28/11/2023 19:19

Is your Dad in a care home or a nursing home? I'm going to be brutally honest and share that my Dad died in a nursing home after a transfer from a hospice and they were absolutely useless. One nurse on duty for 50 residents, drug rounds that took forever that you couldn't access them during, and I would have to scream/shout to get Dad's medication administered. And this was with a palliative care specialist nurse overseeing his care along with the palliative consultant. I deeply regret not moving him.

I appreciate the respect form but you could ask for hospital admission (especially if you have a local geriatric care one) for palliative care.

EmmaEmerald · 28/11/2023 19:18

Have you been there yourself, are you able to go? Is DF able to say what he'd like to be done?

Original poster
LaBelleSauvage123 · 28/11/2023 19:16

There’s a nurse at the home who’s overseeing everything but he seems a bit casual tbh. The home don’t give oxygen - we asked that earlier

OP posts:
Houseplanter · 28/11/2023 19:13

Are the district nurses involved? They should be, and should be over seeing the administration and effectiveness of the drugs

EmmaEmerald · 28/11/2023 19:11

Does he need oxygen and do the care home supply that?

i do think a paramedic should be called, yes. I realise it's a case of "no invasive treatment" but if he needs oxygen to be comfortable then maybe paramedics can supply?

Swipe left for the next trending thread