She keeps having. I'm doing this alone and my Aunt is no help. She knows the situation but zero help. She can't be placed anywhere because dr thinks this is all from the uti. I also forgot to mention she was in the hospital about three weeks ago. I'm running on thin air. Probably doing everything the wrong way. She's 87 and stubborn as a mule. I have POA. A lot of you know my story.
One thing that sometimes helps caregivers is keeping a simple daily log of medications, fluids, sleep, and when the hallucinations seem better or worse. That kind of information can be very helpful for the doctor if treatment needs to be adjusted.
Also, if you’re running on thin air, it may be worth asking the doctor or hospital social worker about short-term home health or respite support so you can get a break. Caregiving at this level is a lot for one person.
You’re clearly doing your best in a really difficult situation.
My goal is to be able to spend a night at my house if she can get back to her base. But mostly to just get better and take care of her ADLs. I don't have a lot of plans beyond that.
It gives me time to do some straightening and cleaning there, but I'm not pushing that either...steady as she goes. It has to work for both of us, right? Right!
Urinary issues are a side effect of C Memantine.
Mom had recurring UTI's for years. Once I took her off of the C Memantine the UTI's stopped.
It really was horrible.
Stay on the doctor ... Push for more cultures and a possible change of antibiotic.. sometimes you can be put on the wrong one. Push fluids. Don't leave her alone.... If that means hiring overnight help or grabbing a good friend to give you some respite, I hope you can.
When washing up or showering, Don't use anything stronger than baby bath on her private parts... Use a squeeze bottle filled with plain warm water to rinse off. Take extra care to avoid any fecal contamination.
I went through a period myself when I just kept getting UTIs... They are more common in postmenopausal women.
But my concern is the hallucinations.
So far she's compliant with meds.
I wouldn't say she's near death at all.
Not to say I worry about this uti turning into sepsis.
I also worry will this effect her cognitively on down the road.
Lord only knows.
Thank you for your replies.
Ive been on the horn with her Dr's nurse and she has an appointment with her next week. They'll do another culture then.
I'm sorry if this is confusing.
Thank you all again.
I agree with others she needs a culture and please elevate her care to a Specialist.
Call in hospice for an evaluation. Where I live, we don't need a doctor's order to talk with hospice about admission.
Ask her doctor for meds to treat her hallucinations.
And/or get a new doctor for her. The one she has seems unsupportive and possibly ignorant and uncaring. Find an eldercare/geriatric specialist who deals with the issues all the time.
Don't believe she can't be placed. Keep shopping doctors until you find one who agrees that she needs placement.
This is a drastic situation, and as her advocate, you may need to stand up and make a fuss until someone hears you, which seems not to be happening at present. I'm so sorry you're going through this.
If so, your mom may be approaching end of life now. My dad was having recurring UTIs when he was at end of life and none of the meds were working. The doctor at the hospital suggested hospice and we went that route, comfort care. Dad passed less than 3 weeks later.
I'm so sorry to hear about these difficulties you are facing with mom. God bless you and give you the strength to cope.
My first 2 doctors didn't take a culture, and just guessed the many antibiotics. I'd take the 10 days worth, sort of get better, then my cellulitis would ramp back up and burn like a blow torch. I had to keep going back, until I finally insisted on a culture!
Mom needs a fresh culture taken to find out exactly what antibiotic will work and what is resistant to her UTI. Not those "pee strips" they may have used.
Time for another doctor, preferably a urologist. Mom may need IV antibiotics, like I did.
Tell your stubborn Mom you "don't believe the doctors" and want her to see a SPECIALIST. Get Mom thinking the same way:
"That doctor was full of it! They are guessing and you need a culture! Don't put up with their crap!" It could work. Good Luck!