Any advice for mom who has dementia with pneumonia?

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R

Roseformom Asked January 2020

Any advice for mom who has dementia with pneumonia?

I took her to urgent care yesterday because her memory care requested me to due to her lethargy, not wanting to eat, and excessive coughing. They said she just woke up that way yesterday morning.
Urgent care doctor gave her a chest xray which showed pneumonia. All other results were normal, blood pressure, urine results, and temperature.
The doctor prescribed doxycycline, an antibiotic, to take for 10 days, 2 times a day.
Should I ask for a prescription for ibuprofen as well? I didn't think about it at the time, but I think doctors don't think about the strict requirements at a facility about medication. Her memory care requires a prescription and doctor's signature for everything, including ibuprofen and neosporin.
Or, is it not necessary since she doesn't have a fever?
And, do you have any other suggestions for mom's care while she is suffering from pneumonia? How long does it usually take for the antibiotics to take affect and make the person feel better? How long do I need to wait for her to heal from pneumonia before she gets the vaccine? I'd like her to get it so she doesn't get it again.
I'd also like her to get the flu shot. The nurse wasn't able to give it to her last time she had an appointment because she jerked away and she wasn't able to administer it correctly.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Pneumonia

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score 5 · Answer 1

Hi Everyone, I wanted you to know that mom got better in 3 days after taking the antibiotics. She is walking and talking again. She is back to normal and no coughing. Thanks again for all your answers!

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Good deal Rose!

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score 1 · Answer 2

My 93 y/o mother contracted pneumonia this past May and was admitted to the hospital for 5 days and given antibiotics, etc. She too has dementia and is incontinent. We did talk about hospice, but she pulled thru the pneumonia, and the 36 falls she's taken, and the 10 other issues she currently has. She went onto rehab for 21 days and wound up wheelchair bound as a result of the whole mess. Her quality of life is now FURTHER compromised as a result of having her life saved, yet again, from this 2nd bout of pneumonia she's had.

I'm surprised your mother was not admitted to the hospital with her case of pneumonia. See how things go for a day or two, and go from there. What I do when my mother exhibits worrisome symptoms is I ask the ALF to call an AMBULANCE, and then meet it at the ER. IMO, it's a lot easier than dealing with Urgent Care and all of that. Then she can segue from the ER right into being admitted, easy peasy.

Good luck............it's hard, all of this, isn't it?

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Thank you so much! I called the after hours nurse and she said the same, to wait a couple of days and see if the antibiotics get her better. She said they probably did not admit her because she is already at a memory care facility with 24 hour care. And, they would do the same thing at the hospital, antibiotics. Nurse said to call her regular doctor Monday and try to get her in ASAP to see her. And, if no improvement, take her back in. That's when I would have memory care call an ambulance to take her in. Thank you for that suggestion and sharing your experience! Yes, hard for sure! I feel like I'm constantly taking mom to the doctor.

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score 3 · Answer 3

Is your mother eligible for hospice? My mthr is at the end of dementia, unable to talk, walk, toilet, or feed herself. Pneumonia would be the most gentle departure she could have. Hospice could treat the pain & fever, not the infection when she is ready to go, Ibuprofen but not antibiotics. I pray mthr will contract pneumonia and slip away gently instead of this long protracted departure.

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This is an interesting viewpoint. I didn't think of hospice, as the doctors didn't mention it. My mom is 79 and at stage 5 or 6, I think closer to 6 now. She can usually walk, talk, and eat with utensils. But, she is incontinent, and cannot toilet or bathe herself. She has fallen twice and has had to go to the emergency room for the falls, a UTI, and gallstones. She thinks things that are fake are real. I am extremely grateful that she recognizes me, but does not recognize or know anyone else. I didn't think of pneumonia being a gentle departure, as I am not ready to have mom go to Heaven yet. But, I can see what you're saying. I've always thought of a heart attack being the best way to go, as I do not want to suffer either. If it got worse, I would look into hospice, as mom was on hospice when she had the gallstones, but got through it. I will definitely look into ibuprofen and see if hospice is needed. Thank you so much!

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score 1 · Answer 4

I had pneumonia 25 years ago as an otherwise healthy 29 year old woman. I had gone through an incredibly stressful period. I tore my intercostal muscles from coughing. It took me 2 months to fully recover. I had to sleep with my head elevated, I took antibiotics and had Ventolin as well. I took Tylenol and Ibuprofen for the pain and fever.

Like your Mum, my initial symptoms were being utterly exhausted and no appetite. I had gone to the doctor once, but they could not find anything. A few days later the coughing started and I had to go to emergency during the night after vomiting because I was coughing so hard. Then they did not need to do a chest x-ray, they could hear the fluid in my lungs. I was given O2, Ventolin and antibiotics in the hospital and went home with an Rx for antibiotics and Ventolin.

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Thank you for your personal account with pneumonia! It gives me an idea of what my mom is dealing with. I can hear the fluid in her lungs too. It rattles. It's strange how it seemed to come on so suddenly. I will try and contact the doctor tomorrow, Sunday, but might not be able to get a hold of one until Monday, to get her a prescription for ibuprofen. Memory care said she was the same today, but she has only taken three of the antibiotic pills so far. I'm hoping she improves soon. She is usually able to walk on her own, but the pneumonia has her very weak, as she needs a wheelchair to get around right now.

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score 1 · Answer 5

I’ve just checked some difficult news on the net, which says that pneumonia acquired in hospitals or nursing homes is more likely to be resistant to antibiotics. Ibuprofen could be good if she has chest muscle pain from coughing, otherwise probably no use – but check with a medico. Pneumonia is a common cause of death in the elderly, so I wish you both the best of luck in coping with it.

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Thank you for your answers. I did not know it was called the "old man's friend." I feel like they made a mistake and should have admitted mom into the hospital since she could walk up until Friday when she got pneumonia. I think not being able to walk would be a serious reason for her to be admitted. I actually took mom to the ER after urgent care because she was shaking so much along with her rattling breathing/coughing, and she had to use the hospital's wheelchair, but maybe the doc thought she's always been in one, not from pneumonia? You think I should make another trip to the ER and explain she can't walk due to the pneumonia, or no use, they still send patient home anyways?

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Any advice for mom who has dementia with pneumonia?

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