How long until the end ?

[Metoo15]

My mum 92 started last Saturday with what we now know to be Hypoactive delirium. She is in a care home and has since fallen cutting her head. She was taken to A & E Sunday morning where she had a CT scan and blood tests.
She was there 30 hours. The Dr phoned me to discuss what to do next. I said I didn’t want any unnecessary tests and procedures as she has been through so much these last five years. She was sent back to the care home with end of life on her notes.
She has been lost the delirium ever since. Just having mouth swabs. The care home Dr has seen her and prescribed a sedative and morphine she now has a cannula in her upper arm. It’s a week today and it’s just awful for her and us, she keeps wincing but doesn’t seem too uncomfortable. They’ve only given one dose of the sedative so far. Would I be right if I asked for more for her ? How long will it all take until the end ? she’s had no food or heart medication now for a week only mouth swabs dipped with orange juice which she bites and then sucks. Truly awful bless her.

Sorry to read this OP. It does sound a lot like the end of life situation my MIL was in last year. Also with dementia. It was a week after she’d last eaten that she passed away. The only thing you can do is to make sure she is pain free and advocate for her. Are the district nurses visiting? They usually are the first port of call and can set up the pump drives etc to ensure she is kept comfortable. Sorry you are going through this, it is horrible and exhausting. Do you have someone supporting you?

Netaporter Thank you for replying. And sorry to hear you had similar with your mil. There’s nothing quite like it is there, it’s the unknown.
The district nurse is visiting to give medication, but it seems I have to request it, so far anyway. I’ll see what today brings.
It’s a week today since she’s eaten. I’m an only one but thankfully I have amazing adult children and extended family very lucky that way. The decision making is terrible, but I’ve learnt to ask for support now which is making things easier.

Definitely speak to a Registered Nurse (if a nursing home) and say you think she’s in pain/ distressed. They will listen to you, as her daughter, and someone who’s probably been sitting with her and watching her closely.