Not mobilising bed ridden patient.
Discussion
For the last 3 months we've been caring for an elderly relative with inoperable brain cancer.
It's been going as a well as expected, but deterioration rapidly over the last few weeks.
Until yesterday using a handling belt we were able to get her out of bed, onto a commode, a recliner or wheelchair. So generally OK, carers in once a day to look after personal care.
The last few days it's been more difficult getting her up and she's not offering as much help and getting panicky. so I asked a carer to help me with my technique, he confirmed her decreasing mobility was the problem not my technique.
Hoist arrived, carers increased to 3 visits per day, but all they'll do is clean her up and new pads, no mobilisation and no opportunity to sit on the commode. The result is permanently soiled pads, humiliating considering she's far from incontinent. (she's been offered a catheter too) all NHS rather than agency.
My wife asked one of the nurses why earlier today, who said the they've been told not to mobilise her.
Anyone heard of this before? I've a call into the team as to why, but still waiting on a call back.
The whole NHS/Mcmillan team have been exemplary so far.
It's been going as a well as expected, but deterioration rapidly over the last few weeks.
Until yesterday using a handling belt we were able to get her out of bed, onto a commode, a recliner or wheelchair. So generally OK, carers in once a day to look after personal care.
The last few days it's been more difficult getting her up and she's not offering as much help and getting panicky. so I asked a carer to help me with my technique, he confirmed her decreasing mobility was the problem not my technique.
Hoist arrived, carers increased to 3 visits per day, but all they'll do is clean her up and new pads, no mobilisation and no opportunity to sit on the commode. The result is permanently soiled pads, humiliating considering she's far from incontinent. (she's been offered a catheter too) all NHS rather than agency.
My wife asked one of the nurses why earlier today, who said the they've been told not to mobilise her.
Anyone heard of this before? I've a call into the team as to why, but still waiting on a call back.
The whole NHS/Mcmillan team have been exemplary so far.
I don’t think there is anything silly going on it sounds like because the situation is moving very fast the care plan needs updating. Unfortunately it can seem desperate in the moment but things take time. If you notify the people in charge of giving care it should be changed pretty quick.
I’ve got no medical background at all, but my brother is disabled and spends a lot of his time on the bed or wheelchair.
He needs to move around or he’ll get pressure sores. Very horrible things.
Would an increase further of carers help? If they can come in more often (or for longer), they could help her into the toilet, into the chair etc.
What we’ve found with my brother is you need to keep asking for help and give examples why. Keep a note of how long things take to do with her. The good and the bad days.
He needs to move around or he’ll get pressure sores. Very horrible things.
Would an increase further of carers help? If they can come in more often (or for longer), they could help her into the toilet, into the chair etc.
What we’ve found with my brother is you need to keep asking for help and give examples why. Keep a note of how long things take to do with her. The good and the bad days.
LosingGrip said:
I’ve got no medical background at all, but my brother is disabled and spends a lot of his time on the bed or wheelchair.
He needs to move around or he’ll get pressure sores. Very horrible things.
Would an increase further of carers help? If they can come in more often (or for longer), they could help her into the toilet, into the chair etc.
What we’ve found with my brother is you need to keep asking for help and give examples why. Keep a note of how long things take to do with her. The good and the bad days.
I think 3 times a day is enough, tires her out as it is. Oh and night sitters twice a week, but that's more for our benefit. He needs to move around or he’ll get pressure sores. Very horrible things.
Would an increase further of carers help? If they can come in more often (or for longer), they could help her into the toilet, into the chair etc.
What we’ve found with my brother is you need to keep asking for help and give examples why. Keep a note of how long things take to do with her. The good and the bad days.
No chairs or toilet now. I think she'll be getting an air mattress soon.
It's a series of 'lasts' so the last time she walked was a few weeks ago, last time she got out of a chair with assistance a few days ago, ate at the dining table, last Sunday, and now the last time she'll have used a commode yesterday.
She's still one arm that works, so can feed herself, lift a cup, scratch an itch.
Edited by How u doing on Thursday 1st July 18:15
How u doing said:
I think 3 times a day is enough, tires her out as it is.
No chairs or toilet how.
It's a series of 'lasts' so the last time she walked was a few weeks ago, last time she got out of a chair with assistance a few days ago, ate at the dining table, last Sunday, and now the last time she'll use a commode yesterday.
She's still one arm that works, so can feed herself, lift a cup, scratch an itch.
That must be hard to witness. You have my sympathy, not looking forward to going through this. No chairs or toilet how.
It's a series of 'lasts' so the last time she walked was a few weeks ago, last time she got out of a chair with assistance a few days ago, ate at the dining table, last Sunday, and now the last time she'll use a commode yesterday.
She's still one arm that works, so can feed herself, lift a cup, scratch an itch.
I worked in palliative care for many years and sometimes it's just kinder and safer for the patient to remain in bed. In order for the patient to be able to safely sit out and use the commode there needs to be a good degree of core strength as well as adequate sitting balance. Having someone slip off the chair onto the floor causing further injury or even injuring the carers who may try to arrest the fall is a common occurrence in end of life and elderly care.
My deepest sympathies.
SD.
My deepest sympathies.
SD.
PeteinSQ said:
How u doing said:
I think 3 times a day is enough, tires her out as it is.
No chairs or toilet how.
It's a series of 'lasts' so the last time she walked was a few weeks ago, last time she got out of a chair with assistance a few days ago, ate at the dining table, last Sunday, and now the last time she'll use a commode yesterday.
She's still one arm that works, so can feed herself, lift a cup, scratch an itch.
That must be hard to witness. You have my sympathy, not looking forward to going through this. No chairs or toilet how.
It's a series of 'lasts' so the last time she walked was a few weeks ago, last time she got out of a chair with assistance a few days ago, ate at the dining table, last Sunday, and now the last time she'll use a commode yesterday.
She's still one arm that works, so can feed herself, lift a cup, scratch an itch.
Thx, toughest thing we've ever done. Just taken some morphine in, picked up lorazepam today, hopefully it'll help with night time anxiety (hers not ours)
shed driver said:
I worked in palliative care for many years and sometimes it's just kinder and safer for the patient to remain in bed. In order for the patient to be able to safely sit out and use the commode there needs to be a good degree of core strength as well as adequate sitting balance. Having someone slip off the chair onto the floor causing further injury or even injuring the carers who may try to arrest the fall is a common occurrence in end of life and elderly care.
My deepest sympathies.
SD.
Sounds a tough job. My deepest sympathies.
SD.
Your post makes sense.
Edited by How u doing on Thursday 1st July 19:22
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