She uses opioids for the pain but this requires her to physically visit a doctor every month. She still lives alone and refuses to go to any kind of senior home, as she enjoys smoking cigarettes and this would be denied her. She also has a dog she doesn't want to give up.
The trips to the doctor are almost becoming too much. I am mostly just concerned with her being as pain-free as possible, regardless of how close to end-of-life she is (hard to tell). She's still fairly lucid.
Does anyone know other ways to get pain meds for a house-bound elder? Or is time for hospice with in-home pain treatment? I work as a teacher full-time and can't really provide the care I believe she needs.
They were able to prescribe a patch for my husband when it was necessary, but hopefully your mom can be maintained on what she currently takes.
If you have no similar option, I would go for hospice to make the drugs available. Tell whatever lies make it possible. The people who make difficult rules don't feel the pain. I also have oxycodone available for real ‘screamers’, very very occasional. I don’t take the drugs around the clock, just when I need them. I’m 77. Please ask anything I might be able to help with. My love to you and your mother.
Also, I see a resurgence in doctor house calls. So many people are home bound, there are mobile doctors in many communities!
We live just outside of the Phoenix, AZ area, and my husband has had a nurse practitioner for 2 years now that comes to the home once a month.
They also order labwork (blood draws) and a lab technician comes to the house.
IMO, many states have lost their minds in dealing with the "opioid crisis". Some of the laws are beyond ridiculous. What's the point of keeping elders (and others in daily, life limiting pain) "safe" if they are living in misery? And don't get me started on "integrative therapies" (I've tried most.) The problem never was older medical patients in serious pain who need their medication and use it responsibly, but rather recreational drug abusers in their 20s-30s and street drug addicts, who have now largely switched from heroin to cheaper, much-stronger fentanyl.
My mother was on hospice for a short time near the end. They will prescribe and provide pain meds (morphine seems the common one). How often they visit depends on the patients condition. Not knowing your mom's medical conditions, it's hard to say if she would qualify. You could see what her doctor says...but I would suggest researching hospices and asking one to evaluate her. When I was noticing declines with my mom (decreased appitite, sleeping even more) I asked her doctor about hospice...he said "we are not there yet". But seems we were there and by waiting we missed out on months of support which could have helped both me and my mom.
Your mother's primary care doctor & pain mgt team could then make the palliative, assisted living or hospice care needs suggestions as they arise.
I personally know many 71 to 85 year olds happily living in 55 & over or Age in Place communities. They all have kept their pets and if moms dog is a support pet there is no monthly pet fee or deposit.
Good luck!
So you go next visit with mom and you tell doctor you are close to being last visit she can get in for, and what are the next steps. Is it palliative care? Often if that's available there is access to good pain meds and visits in the home.
Is it hospice, and exactly what is the prognosis here.
If she is living alone this is now a problem as well to be addressed? At the least cameras set up for smoking in bed safety?
I wish you the very best. I am so sorry. This is dreadful pain, and must be adddressed.