About a month ago, I had put a question out there about my dad. They found out he has aneurysms in both legs. With all his other health issues I had to make a decision about surgery or pain management. I received a lot of good answers and support. Well since then, I made the decision not to put my dad through the surgery because it is just as dangerous for him to have surgery as it is to do nothing. Plus nothing they do will improve his quality of life. Surgery would actually make it worse. So in the last 3 weeks, he has had 2 strokes. The nursing home staff discussed with me pallative care which can be done right in the home. Moving him would confuse him even more than he already is. So that is what we are doing. Pallative care within the nursing home he is already in. I want to thank all of you for the support that you have given me so far. I have also been reading other people's posts and although I do not always have an answer, I feel your pain. But sometimes I see questions posted that are very similar to my situation.
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I think you've made a wise decision. I took a somewhat similar road after my father declined to the point that he couldn't perform PT. I knew that was coming, but I was impressed at how thoughtful and professionally the staff at the rehab facility he was in handled the situation.
We discussed and agreed to palliative care within the rehab section, as he wasn't at the hospice care stage yet and the facility could easily provide a higher level of care right where he was. We agreed that there was no need to move him from rehab to a palliative care unit, so he remained in the rehab section until he passed about a month later.
I was so impressed that their concern was more for his convenience and stability (moving him to another section for hospice care wasn't considered to be a good idea since the care could still be properly provided in the rehab unit and the move might have been unsettling).
There certainly was no compromise in care. Toward the end, the nurse supervisor brought a tray with a full pot of coffee, another with water, and a "goodie" tray of munchies for me as I spent the day with Dad. One of the religious staff came down and sat with Dad for some time, just being there and holding his hand. The DON brought her dog in to visit Dad when the dog was in the facility to perform his own version of comfort.
I've never experienced such compassionate service, especially the consideration of providing palliative care w/o having to move to another unit in the complex.
It's a testament to the facility and its staff that their thoughts were first for the needs of my father, and that those needs could be provided right where he was when he entered for PT.
Chergal, I'm glad that you've found a facility which provides support as well as compassion, and within the existing facility and w/o the potential side effects of being moved.
Hoping for the best for you all.
I do hope that Palliative Care will keep him comfortable. (if not I do home that the Palliative Care Team will advise that Hospice might be better for him.)
You made a tough decision. I had always said that when I made a decision for my Husband that I want the Head not the Heart making the tough choices.
((hugs)) to both of you. 🙏
Sending you a hug and a prayer for strength and guidance as you go through this difficult journey with your father.