My mom is hospitalized from a fall last week. She has two compression fractures of her spine. She’s not eating. She has a pacemaker and she’s also a DNR. She’s basically surviving on water and pain medication.
Up until last week I was her main caregiver. But in the condition that she’s in, I’m not able to care for her by myself so it’s looking like a skilled nursing care facility for her. I’m not sure how this is handled if she refuses to eat and she’s a DNR. She’s 97 years old. She suffers from dementia. And she started seeing people that have since passed and when I visit sometime she recognizes me sometimes she doesn’t. Any advice is appreciated.
Skilled Nursing would be the proper place for her but if Hospice has a place that has an In Patient Unit they may place her there. They might do that for Pain, Symptom management.
You are not alone. My mom was eating less for months and once she had her spinal fracture, the only thing she ate was canned fruit coctail. Mom lasted about 2 weeks on Hospice and she did not require morphine. Only non opiate meds and a little ativan
If they can get some of that into her, that'd be some calories at least, but she might also be winding down.
The hospice agency we used said that he broke their record of surviving the longest without ANY food. Apparently the previous record was 3 weeks. They were shocked that my husband lasted that long as was I, and it was horrific to watch him just wither away right before my very eyes.
I hope and pray that your mom won't hang on that long and that her passing will be sooner than later and pain free.
If you haven't already, please bring hospice on board ASAP.
I’d see about hospice first before the home.
It’s too bad she fell. Poor her. Poor you, it’s very stressful.
As Old said, one can live a long time without food.
Delirium is common in hospital. I hope it’ll go away soon. Sometimes after a few weeks, the mind returns to its normal level (the level before hospital).
You’ve done an amazing job keeping her healthy and happy. 97!!!