On Monday my father, 90 years old had blood in his stool. The doctor did a blood test and gave him a 7 day course of antibiotics. The following day he could hardly stand and couldn’t get to the toilet and back without me supporting him/ protecting him from falling. All of a sudden he is shuffling his feet.
The first two days I managed to get him to drink quite a lot but since then he only takes bird size sips and is also eating very little. It isn’t going to be enough to flush out the infection and the amount of food isn’t going to give him the strength to recover. I have hardly slept a wink for five nights as he is disturbed (panic attacks) and keeps calling out. When he does doze off and if I do, I am awoken with a start with the sound of his stick and dash to him to check he doesn’t fall.
Last night I moved the raised toilet seat to near his bed (will have to get a commode) but he hardly has the strength to use that. And I still have to be ready to jump out of bed if I hear him.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Fruit2O lemon flavored water, ice cold. With my mom I would fill a small, plastic, disposable glass half full. Offered first thing in morning as a refreshing drink. Placed by her chair side with a small snack (half pack crackers, individually wrapped prune, tasty high calorie yogurt, etc.) during the day while she was watching TV.
Peach flavored Snapple served with a small plate of Fruit&Fiber bars and chocolate bars broken in thirds.
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Unfortunately, he needs to flush out his system to get rid of the UTI.
I swear by D Mannose to prevent bladder infections since I was getting 4 a year with pyelonephritis as well until I got on it. It is over the counter, works a bit like cranberry but better and without acidity, keeps the bacteria from adhereing to the bladder wall. No infections more than a decade for me. I am an old retired RN who doesn't normally believe in supplements and such but I swear by this. I use Source Natural D Mannose which I buy on Amazon, but most health food stores have it powder or capsule. Capsules are big and you can remove it from the capsule and put in a bit of cereal, ice cream whatever. Not bad tasting. Try to keep these awful UTIs away. D Mannose is about 30 for 120 capsules and only one a day is taken, so they are well worth a try.
I think that one of the biggest challenges about the UTI situation is that Dad is reluctant to drink. I have to keep reminding him. I will try the D. Mannose powder. I could probably put it in the protein drinks that he takes.