My loved one is in a Memory Care unit. She is stage 6 now. So far she still eats fine, but I'm wondering about when she doesn't, as that is likely in the last stage.
I've read here and other sites about how the chewing and swallowing become affected. The risks then become great for choking and aspiration. But, what happens then? If the patient did not want tube feeding, and I agree with that based on all my readings from many sources, what happens? Do they go into Hospice at that point? Does the doctor give you various options? Do they just keep trying soft foods or liquids with thickners? I just wonder what choices you may have at that point.
In the end stage, the doctor in charge will probably be the hospice doctor, and you will not necessarily work directly with him or her, but with the hospice nurse. So the doctor you are looking for now is for the interim -- from now until Cousin goes on hospice. Just something to keep in mind ...
My husband' death certificate says he died of Lewy Body Dementia. The autopsy report states the cause of death was pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. These are the most common causes of death in dementia.
Be aware that aspiration can occur on saliva. Eating is not necessary for that to happen.
My husband turned down a feeding tube twice in our ten-year journey with dementia. He also tried and then rejected a soft-food diet. He wasn't eating much at all in his last few weeks, but when he ate it was whatever he wanted. He had scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa the morning he died.
Bless you for you concern and care for your cousin.
The concept of Palliative Care was introduced to me at her first AL. It was then I started really facing the progression of her condition and her future. She has progressed very rapidly, especially after she fell and fractured her spine. She is now in a Memory Care Unit.
I'm not really sure how to discuss it with her doctor until the issue arises. I know he has all the signed paperwork in her file. He confirmed this while we were in his office. I was told that his practice does include palliative care.
I think I will schedule a meeting with the Memory Care director and go over what I might expect. Thank you for your thoughts.
I've repeatedly spoken with the staff at her Memory Care facility about doctors who work well with them, but I never get any feed back. I guess they are careful not to favor one doctor over the other. I just don't want to select one who is not available in emergencies, is slow to respond, orders too many unnecessary tests, etc.
I guess the only thing I can do is go meet with the three doctors and then make my decision. But, that is time consuming. I'll get it done soon though.