My stepfather had to be admitted into a rehab facility one week ago because of a large diabetic foot ulcer wound which has MRSA. He needs IV antibiotics administered. He did OK for the first few days, a little decline but that’s to be expected. Over the last few days though he has made a rapid decline in that he hardly speaks and has trouble understanding what’s being said. Today he ate only a few bites of breakfast and no lunch, and he wants to sleep all the time. Is this something to be concerned about or is this normal behavior for someone entering a new facility?
I am glad that you have found a care home and he is doing better. Modern medicine isn't all it's advertised.
Hugs 2 you, this is so trying.
Based on my experience with my mom having been in 2 skilled nursing facilities after breaking her hip, I can confidentially say that most Skilled Nursing Facilities/SNFs are interested in profit and not rehabbing patients.
Please look into hospital or institutional delirium and also any narcotic meds. These both contribute to delirium and to lack of appetite. Also UTIs in the elderly can cause delirium. My mom was in 2 SNFs for about 5 months then ICU, then long term care hospital and finally acute rehab before returning home, a total of 7 months. Once my mom got home, her appetite and her mind returned completely! It was like night and day!
After the first 2 weeks in the SNF facility I spoke with the Dr re my concerns about my mom’s psychological health, she didn’t seem interested in her usual things and she was sleeping a lot and not eating.
Meanwhile the physical therapists said my mom wasn’t cooperating by getting up for physical therapy and the nurses said my mom was not interested in eating. She was doped up the entire time, what I had mistaken as post hip break depression and some kind decline with poor appetite was instead narcotic lethargy and institutional delirium. Both SNF Doctors did NOT address my concerns about the symptoms of delirium, neither facility even mentioned the term until I requested a psych consult at the second facility. My request was after my mom had a really bad day of paranoia and confusion of time and place.
If you can get an outside doctor to evaluate your stepdad’s situation it might be helpful.
The hospital and ICU stays were all due to SNF negligence. After 10 days in the ICU my mom was moved to a regular hospital room, sitting upright, eating like nothing happened and engaged in physical therapy. I asked the hospital doctor, why is my mom improving so much in the hospital even though she just got out of ICU?
Doctor’s answer: quality of care.
Hugs!
Wishing you all the best, my friend, and sending you a big hug
When patients suddenly become confused
Hospital delirium is common and often goes unrecognized
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/when-patients-suddenly-become-confused
Talk to a nurse about your concerns and ask if it could be this... we got much better info from the nurses than from the doctors since they had to know the "big picture" (as one put it) at all times about their patients.
His body is battling an infection, pretty serious one at that. So it is understandable that he is tired and wants to sleep.
Try encouraging the eating but do not force it. If he is entering EOL (End of Life) his body will not require food and it would do more harm than good to feed him.
Keep an eye on this. If you fee up to it call in Hospice. They will help you as well as him. They will answer your questions and make him comfortable. It is never to early to contact Hospice he may not be ready but they will let you know that.
Are they keeping a good check on his sugar levels? I’m guessing you can’t get blood work done more frequently to determine if infection is worse/sepsis developing/kidney failure is occurring?
Sending you a big hug!!!
They need to be given 2 hours either side of antibiotics. So if he is on an iv drip with antibiotics, those don't run 24 hours, give 2 hours after the bag is empty and 2 hours before the new bag goes on. They are completely safe to give more than 1 a day, that is to maintain a healthy system, he needs to heal his, so I would give 2 caps everytime for at least 1 month. They are so important and so disregarded by western medicine.
Get a good one from a health food store. I buy liquid and drink it with strawberry juice whenever I have to take antibiotics. I found strawberry covers the sour taste and it is yummy.
My prayers are with you and your stepdad, may you both receive strength and peace for this difficult time.
Take this one day at a time but if no improvement in say, two weeks you may want to
pursue palliative care.
Hang in there, it’s very hard on we daughters.
& can progress to amputation. He may be developing sepsis (system wide infection),or he could be having low or high blood sugar swings which is harder to control as when a diabetic gets an infection it can affect blood sugars.
These are a life threatening illnesses & your dad is very sick.
Does he have Advanced Directives or a Living Will? It may be a good time to make sure his final wishes are known re resuscitation & when to stop treatment.
I hope he improves.
Try to get protein in him, engage him as much as possible and have as many visitors as possible.
I believe my friend had given up because I was the only one that would visit because everyone was frightened of the MRSA. Her family stood at the door one time talking at her. I have never seen anything so sad, her reaching out to them and they were not willing to suit up and touch her. I suited up and gave her as much physical contact as possible, the nurses said she was only peaceful when I was with her. They didn't even go see her in the hospice facility.
So give him a reason to recover if at all possible.
Where was he living before?
MRSA is very difficult to treat. Boston, how was his behavior and appetite before?
Stepdad developed MRSA. He ended up in the hospital for two weeks.