Vaccines while on end of life care?

[KatyMac]

If someone with alzheimers is on end of life care in a home should they get any vaccines

Im conflicted - it seems to be a life extending measure, but also very 'normal'

I am on my way to discuss it with the home later - i have POA

Please dont be hard on me for asking i find end of life care very complicated

It’s so hard isn’t it?

Is your relative on an end of life care pathway, ie is death expected imminently? Or at a late stage of dementia?

My mum is late stage Alzheimer’s and I admit I’ve thought that every flu vaccine etc might be extending the torture, but I do always end up giving consent.

When my mum was on end of life care, I refused on her behalf, but it was made easier because she had been convinced that she had a bad reaction to her last COVID jab and I new she wouldn't have wanted it. I know if I was in that situation, I wouldn't want vaccines. What do you think the person would say if she had capacity?

He is on NHS continuing care funding as he is on end of life care (but has been for 6 months)

Im pretty confused and we regularly get "it'll be soon" conversations and then it isnt

I refused any routine vaccinations for around the last two or three years of my mother’s life. She existed, in a pitiful state, in a care home, with next to no speech, no understanding and no recognition of us. We truly prayed for her to die and be released from the misery of dementia.

Precovid after his diagnosis he started researching dignitas/Switzerland, but over covid he was prevented from travelling and then he was too far gone

He was vaccinated because it was "better for everyone else"

I understand why you’d be confused by that, I would be too?

Have you suggested a meeting with the care home team to try and get a better understanding of their diagnosis of ‘end of life’. Six months seems to suggest they’ve got it wrong?

In your situation I’d go with your gut feeling as regards vaccines etc.

Ok after the meeting

He is again eating independebtky and putting on weight which had stopped and that was why he was on end of life care

We have agreed to have the vaccine but if it causes him distress we wont have the next one

There was no doubt about my elderly relative with dementia being given it, the home just asked me if I wanted them to have it and that was that.

I thought that too, it’s so hard. I agreed because they always chose to be vaccinated and it protects the others in the home too.

That’s such a difficult question, and it’s completely understandable to feel conflicted. I hope the conversation with the home gives you some clarity and reassurance around what’s right for her at this stage.
RightCareHome has a useful guide on end-of-life care in a nursing home that may help with some of these questions:https://www.rightcarehome.co.uk/blog/respite-care-uk-costs-types-guide

Yes, vaxines should be given to people having end of life care.

Most importantly to protect the patient, who may be immune suppressed and also to protect other people and carers who come into contact with them.

I understand this is a difficult time OP, and I want you to know you and your loved one have all my sympathy at this difficult time and I hope my advice helps.