Moms had a bad couple of weeks starting with a vasovagal fainting spell lasting 10 minutes, followed the next day with a positive UTI and antibiotics and dehydration requiring a clysis treatment. The last day of antibiotics she tested positive for RSV virus and got another clysis treatment. She slept almost nonstop and stopped eating and drinking for 2 days and I really thought this was the end. But she appears to be back on the mend now and eating and drinking and singing again. But she’s still on quarantine (requiring masks and gowns ugh) since she’s still occasionally coughing. She sniffs up a lot, but I can’t get her to blow her nose, or spit anything out, which is causing the cough. Never having had little kids, how do you explain to someone how to blow their nose?? I’ve asked the nurses and they suggested saying to blow out a candle but it’s not working. Any ideas? She’s not on any meds to dry up her head...they “want it to run.”
For the "littles" you needed 2 people, for the elders, usually one to "tickle and catch". I haven't tried it on someone with dementia, so I cannot state the effectiveness---but it's worth a try.
NOT a full on MASSAGE--just the slightest little "tickly sensation" try it on yourself first.
Also, Boogie wipes are the best. So gentle, no more sore, raw noses.
https://www.amazon.com/MediChoice-Ear-Ulcer-Syringe-Thermoplastic-Elastomer/dp/B01FSRHTEY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1550240420&sr=8-3&keywords=adult+aspirator
There's mechanical ones, too, but the ones I looked at were for babies.
Keep in mind this may be disturbing/upsetting for the person who has the runny nose so if your Mom won't tolerate it, I recommend investing in flannel baby wipes (Amazon carries them and a few stores that specialize in cloth diapers have good deals on them, too). I find they are more gentle and more effective wiping away/absorbing snot than disposable kleenexes.
My 4 month old granddaughter was hospitalized the day after Christmas for a few days with RSV. The hospital staff used a vaccume device that was in the wall to clear out all the mucous. I never witnessed the procedure but my DIL said it was done often and the amount of mucous that was collected was unbelievable.
Grandaughter was given steroids and breathing treatments. I think this is a viral thing so she didn’t get any antibiotics.
I heard this morning RSV is going around in our Nursing Homes.
There is a product called Boogie Wipes for babies to wipe away the boogies without irritating the skin.