My friend is recovering from Mendi B. and did stroke. I can't get him to eat. He won't let things go in his mouth, he verbally refuses. Any suggestions?
Is this person at home, if so IMO he needs to be in a Skilled Nursing facility. This is a medical problem. He may need a feeding tube temporarily to get him passed this. A CNA/aide cannot do feeding tubes. They are not medically trained.
Not letting things go in the mouth means that the patient doesn't have the swallow response that is normal for us. When this happens that patient is in serious danger of swallowing food not into the stomach but into the lung. This results in aspiration pneumonia which can kill. It will take some time for this swallow reflex to return or it may never return, and usually only time will tell. MEANWHILE it is crucial that the doctor knows of this, that the swallow is evaluated (usually done by OT, often with some radiology studies as well. You do not say what your involvement is with your friend. Are you the caregiver? If so, time to discuss with the MD and ask for swallow eval. If not, time to speak with the caregiver. It is crucial that the caregiver report this swallow deficit to the MD, especially if food is continuing to be given and there is any choking. I am a retired RN, Tracy, so feel free to show the caregivers/family this thread. Have them look up "swallow deficits due to stroke".
Given your friend's relatively young age this is one of the times a feeding tube might be the answer... somebody needs to bring this up with his care team.
"Family friend trying to help out 75 year old that developed Meningitis and stroked! Now he won't eat? Won't brush teeth also which is really out of sorts for him!"
I'm sorry about your friend's health issues.
First, please make sure that your "help" is not at odds with what other family or legal actors are trying to do for him. Him refusing to eat may be his decision to bring things to a close. He may be depressed, and who could blame him. Whoever has medical legal authority for him should maybe ask for a hospice assessment. He cannot be forced to eat by anyone, this is the law. Be careful that your concern for him doesn't cross any lines. He is early on with this profound life change so it will take time for him to adjust, if he ever does. Is he curently getting any PT for his stroke issues? I'm sure he's glad to have a devoted friend like you.
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You do not say what your involvement is with your friend. Are you the caregiver? If so, time to discuss with the MD and ask for swallow eval. If not, time to speak with the caregiver. It is crucial that the caregiver report this swallow deficit to the MD, especially if food is continuing to be given and there is any choking. I am a retired RN, Tracy, so feel free to show the caregivers/family this thread. Have them look up "swallow deficits due to stroke".
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"Family friend trying to help out 75 year old that developed Meningitis and stroked! Now he won't eat? Won't brush teeth also which is really out of sorts for him!"
I'm sorry about your friend's health issues.
First, please make sure that your "help" is not at odds with what other family or legal actors are trying to do for him. Him refusing to eat may be his decision to bring things to a close. He may be depressed, and who could blame him. Whoever has medical legal authority for him should maybe ask for a hospice assessment. He cannot be forced to eat by anyone, this is the law. Be careful that your concern for him doesn't cross any lines. He is early on with this profound life change so it will take time for him to adjust, if he ever does. Is he curently getting any PT for his stroke issues? I'm sure he's glad to have a devoted friend like you.
Did your friend go to rehab after meningitis and stroke?
Was he medically cleared to eat regular food?
It sounds like he needs a "swallow study" which is ordered by a doctor and performed by a speech language pathologist.
Can you help arrange that?