The CNA approached Mom before lunch today about a shower and Mom responded that she didn't want one. The CNA got the DON (Director of Nursing) and she talked to Mom and again Mom said No. The DON said "your daughter wants you to get a shower" Mom responded,"I don't want one, I can make my own decisions and I don't care what she says". Well, now...hmmmm.......
We were also informed that the urinary analysis came back negative. Hmmmmm. So why is she confused? Mom didn't have this confusion prior to going into the rehab facility. She was naturally somewhat confused but all that was normal considering what she had been through and slept through in ICU and the hospital. She exhibited real confusion ( and delirium per her roommate) on her third day of taking "Remeron" -- an antidepressant. We asked the nurse then to STOP the drug but she suspected a UTI being the cause of the confusion, not the Remeron.
Well, since there is no UTI -- we must suspect the Remeron. So, I emailed the administrator again and asked that he investigate this with the Doctor and maybe Remeron needs to be discontinued. We don't want Mom being so confused -- and drugs can really play havoc on the elderly.
Man -- this is a full-time job to keep track of everything that is occuring with your parent in one of these facilities -- but also demonstrates why you HAVE to be very involved. Otherwise, these folks -- each nurse, therapist, etc -- look only at their schedule and muddle through their day -- they would continue current actions and those actions could drastically change the outcome of the elderly patients.
Well -- talking with a friend this morning about this confusion and lo and behold, she is going through something similar with her mom! Found out that
a build-up of carbon dioxide is likely in elderly that are on oxygen and have heart issues because the body cannot expel that carbon dioxide from the lungs and a bi-pap machine at night can take care of that and will completely clear up the confusion!!
So, I emailed the staff (administrators and nurse) about checking Mom's "blood gases" to ensure she does not have a build-up of carbon dioxide from the continuous oxygen! This email was sent to them before noon today -- hopefully getting this blood test won't take the week that the urine analysis required!
Sister went by this afternoon and Mom was doing good -- clear minded and even conducted some business. Then when they were leaving the dining room -- Mom says, "I need to use the bathroom before we head home." Sister guided her back to her room and she went to the bathroom. Mom's roommate told Sister that Mom gets real confused at nighttime. Sister asked if it was after any particular medicine, and asked if roommate could see if that might be the case.
What about drugs and the elderly? How much are these drugs doing to an elderly person's brain? How do we ensure that something that is prescribed to an elderly person is not making them confused? Think about how awful this would be and what path this could put a person on!! How do we prevent this?
Unfortunately not so. Mom came out of the bathroom and was very confused and started talk about needing her purse and coat. She again brought up about not staying there and about going home. During this Sister said some nurse/aide came in and asked if Mom had on her shoes and then came back and asked her roommate if she had on her socks. The roommate turned to Sister and said "see why we're crazy". Soon they brought in the dinner tray and once Mom started on that Sister departed.
So many feelings and thoughts about this journey. So difficult and you are faced with so many decisions. I know how difficult this is for me and for my sister and we are so thankful we each have the other to help in this -- but, Lord, what about all the elderly that don't have family involved?
I never wanted to see my Mom without a clear head -- she never wanted to be 'confused' or have Dementia. But, there IS a plan and through this we all learn much and our faith gets stronger.
One day at a time.
To Be Continued....................
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