Horrible feeling hospital will discharge my dad with just a prescription for protein shakes

[falstaff1980]

I'm hearing different things from the hospital each time I go. On Tuesday the doctor told me they would do a CT scan and if it finds nothing then he'll probably be referred to palliative care. Yesterday I didn't get to speak to the doctor, but the nurse told me that the CT scan had found nothing, and a 'nutrition team' were coming in to see my dad. My dad has already had multiple visits from dieticians these last 8 months, my mother and I have been trying him on every soft food and meal replacement product known to man all these months, and he's always been consuming less and less.

From what I've read, palliative care is really good, and helps patients live longer and better. If my dad just gets sent home with a prescription for Fortisip, and it's back to me and my mother on our own having to watch him decline each day will be awful.

How old is he? Often people get a sweet tooth when they're older....will he eat biscuits or cakes (I know it's not the best but it is better than nothing).

He's 82, we've tried literally everything, he has diagnosed swallowing problems.

Trying to get any kind of diagnosis through the NHS under these circumstances is impossible. They will want him off the ward and off the books.

You might find it helpful to contact relevant charities for advice including Age Concern, and your local hospice. Hospices are specialists in palliative and end of life care if that is where you are heading.

Also involve your GP. There is support available but you have to be very vociferous to get it.

Ah I see... I assume he has seen the SALT team for the swallowing problems? Unfortunately there is probably little you can do, it's his decision whether to eat or not. So sorry.

He's seen the SALT team, they diagnosed a swallowing problem, but he is still able to swallow, he just prefers not to and has no appetite.

I suppose it's a similar situation to an overweight person knowing they need to cut back, but failing to do so.

Have they diagnosed the actual cause of the swallowing problem?
There is always artificial feeding through nasogastric tubes etc but your father may decline or the Dr's may not see these as suitable for him. Difficult to say without knowing the full picture. Worth discussing this with the medical team though?
It's a tricky one- If he can swallow but prefers not to then all the staff can do is make him aware of the implications.

Does he have any comorbidites? Memory problems? Unfortunately this can cause lack of appetite and swallowing incordination. It is unfortunately part of getting older.x

I’ve read your other threads. Have you on been able to speak a doctor or nurse about what happens in old age and what to expect next? Your father is 82 and isn’t going to live forever. People do lose their appetite as they get older.

What is it that you want to happen next? What is it that your Dad wants to happen next?

What does your dad want to happen next, OP?
Can your mum cope with him at home?
If your dad is dying (from malnutrition??), most people would much prefer to die at home. That is trading quality for quantity.

Does your dad have capacity to refuse to swallow?

What I want is for the doctors to either reach a definitive diagnosis or admit that they don't know and just say it's "old age".

If there is no viable treatment then I want my dad to get palliative care.

What I don't want is him to be sent home only with advice to 'eat more', and a prescription for meal replacement drinks, cause then we'll just be carrying on where we've been these last 8 months, and it's not working.

You need to talk to the doctor and tell them your worries. It sounds like he also needs a social service assessment.

If he is choosing not to eat, there isn’t a great deal that they can do. What is it that he wants going forward?

Not familiar with the back story
why do you want him to have palliative care?

Finally got an answer from the hospital, they are referring him to palliative care, so thread closed I guess. Thanks to all respondents, helped keep me sane these last few days of uncertainty.