I think you have heard me say in some other post that dad refused the first nursing home. So I am trying to figure out how I can get him admitted to one of the two. But for the time being, I am thinking that I need to carry him to an emergency room or call an ambulance to get help rather than waiting on the doctor. I notified his main doctor on Monday there was a problem.
For the past week, I do not know why but he is back to not sleeping (even with the Seroquel), seems to be more confused during the day, a bit weak, and unsteady on feet. I'm just not getting fast enough help from the doctor or home health agency since one of the nursing homes mentioned having him checked for a UTI which the home health agency says they are waiting for an order in order to collect culture.
I've been trying to read here on how some others have managed to get it done but if anyone has any specific advice I'm listening. My petition for guardianship has been done since September. They've been pushing the court for a hearing date since this month came in but so far still nothing.
Now that you mention the COPD - that may be the big player here.
I sincerely hope you get some solid answers & a treatment plan soon 🙏
Dad is a type two diabetic but has not been on insulin since the nursing home. He use to be on a sliding scale along with 1000 mg of Metformin. He is now on Januvia.
He does have a lung condition (COPD severe emphysema).
Fingernails are yellow and cracking in the center but the doctor told me a few weeks ago that was probably just a nail fungus happening but now that you've brought it up, I do remember that used to be a possible sign of anemia.
So I’ve finally gotten around to looking at his blood work from the hospital and his white blood cell numbers are off. And the ones they used to check for anemia are all saying below low. The hemoglobin is extremely low according to Google at 10.
I was hoping to hang on until court took place and let them take over because I'm about exhausted with all these people in my ear. I feel so sorry for dad and ask the man above to not let him suffer long. To me, he suffering in more ways than one.
Not sleeping is a deal-breaker for me because that is when things go wrong mentally and physically wise. But I was hard at work last week trying to let the primary doctor know of this change.
But here is my call, hospital in my town made their money again. At least the one I drove an hour for gave him a med to try to get sleep and it is prn.
We made it back to our hometown to fill the prescription only to be told by two it would need to be ordered and here by Monday. Disappointed, my daughter and I got back in the truck to head home with dad. He went to explain we need to go to the other side and get his wife. He saw her going in the store (deceased a year last month) and went on a vocal rampage. We got home and he refused to get out of the car and slammed his door back shut saying unless we go back and get her, he would not get out of the car. To keep nosey neighbors from saying they saw a struggle because we would have had to pry him out. I called 911 and they sent out police at first and then they sent for an ambulance.
So the second hospital, this time in our home town has repeated all the other tests but added on a chest x-ray and some other blood work studies dealing with oxygen and a truckload of other things I can’t remember. Oxygen is all over the place and blood pressure is still high. That’s where we are now.
It’s true that right now, it would be an unsafe discharge. The hospital in our hometown saying right now no social worker available.
I’m also confused because over the course of having him home with us, two different phlebotomists have asked me if dad was ever a dialysis patient because of something they are seeing in his arm making them believe he was. But I’ve never known him to be.
I googled CKD (chronic kidney disease) & found:
A fistula is a special connection that is made by joining a vein onto an artery, usually in your arm.
Is Dad a diabetic on insulin?
Does he have any lung condition? (COPD)
High BP with low O2 can be Pulmonary Hypertension. This can be linked to lung disease with lack of oxygen (hypoxia).
Hypoxia (even mild) can cause confusion & a fight response.
What's his finger nail colour like?
PS Has Anaemia been ruled out? It can result as low O2.
I would be filing complaints with every governing agency against the doctor and home health. Not dealing with a potential UTI is negligence.
Hopefully he does have one, can be admitted for 3 midnights, go to rehab and that's when you pull the trigger for placement. Be sure he is admitted and not just under observation.
Good luck!
What are the top reasons you feel he needs 24 care sooner rather than later?
Is he a danger to himself or others?
UTIs turn septic and kill with no other symptom than change in mental status. Please get him to the ER.