@Alfieden12 Awww hon BIG hugs
I’m glad she’s had ECG and in hospital she may get an Xray or CT to look at her lungs - if they take a sputum sample too they may ‘culture it’ - if it’s a ‘chest infection’ it could be a type of pneumonia. Ask for a COVID test
If she has a temperature she may have been incubating & developing Covid that could add to her being a bit more delirious, on top of everything else. (It’s a good baseline test in case she gets it in hospital) If positive she’ll need antivirals which they have in the hospital.
I’m sure you already know this but just in case if she has a chest infection - it could be viral or bacterial…usually bacterial but I’m raising it because you’ll need to know if she’s on Antibiotics or steroids, or antivirals - as you/the care team will need to ensure she gets the medication and completes the course
I’m sorry to say - reality is - people will not connect dots and admit to an unsafe discharge because no one sees the big picture plus ‘productivity targets’ mean they only treat what the issue is she went in with today. It’s why @bowlingbun and @Charlesh47 are recommending you complain to the CEO
I am a big cynic and sceptic about hospitals these days. You don’t need to go to visit her, she may get more agitated and shouty to go home, and you need a break from all this…while you may not need to see her, it may be good to call the ward late morning before shift change and visiting hours to get information and ask Qs.
This may be a good time to brief your GP, on everything and your needs. I’d love to say take a complete break and relax…but I have to be me and say…beware of another early discharge, keep talking about unsafe discharge before, and raise your voice a few times…
unfortunately @Chris_22081 went through a hellish admission with G and I camped out in the hospital room (NOT suggesting you do that) so we know we need to kick up a fuss
Sorry for the laundry list of thoughts @Alfieden12! Winter admissions are yuck
@Alfieden12 Never take anything for granted where hospitals are concerned. They will not want to admit it was an unsafe discharge in the first place, so may not ‘see it’ in that light.
If they try it again, you may need to refuse to have her home because you are unable to care for her. Always put the onus and the responsibility (duty of care) back on them.
I had to tell the hospital I would NOT let the hospital bed into mum’s house as it was unsafe for her to be left alone unable even to turn over for 22 hours a day. Fortunately mum agreed with me.
Hi everyone
Well as of this morning mum is still in a&e . I have managed to contact her social worker and complex case manager who said that if she is admitted then it will be (another!) best interest meeting as we will probably be looking at a discharge into a place of care now.
Spoke with the doctor last night and she is being referred to the memory clinic for an acquired dementia test . He said she clearly lacks capacity and is showing signs of delirium and a huge shift in cognitive decline . He said even if she said she wanted to go home now that it would be disregarded as she is not in the correct state to make that decision.
He also asked that if she should need resuscitation for any reason would I agree to it ?? I’m unsure what he meant by that I was a bit shocked .
But although I know this isn’t the end of the road at least I feel that I’m being listened to a bit more now .
Thank you all so much xx
The doctors are expected to have the DNR (do not resuscitate) discussion with anyone admitted to hospital. I know they asked my mum, it was done very sensitively, and she decided she wanted “nature to take its course”.
I am glad that at last they are listening to you, but why did they ever send her home in the first place?
@Alfieden12 Have to agree with BB. Why oh why was she discharged in the first place? The stress you suffered shone through in your posts.
The DNR is a difficult one and I guess you have to think about things such as ‘quality of life’? I would have agreed to one for my mother if asked, but then afterwards she said that she DID NOT want one and she never forgave the NHS staff for putting one on her! So no easy answers there but I agree with BB for patients over a certain age it is probably just ‘routine’.
That’s exactly what I’m wondering . She came home Thursday lunchtime was back in Sunday breakfast . It’s beyond belief . I understand that she wouldn’t have gotten any further in the rehab but she took a huge decline when she came home … and I cannot provide the level of care ahead of needs . At least if she had been discharged to a place of care ahead of May if been stopped from wandering and not found on the floor . I know it happens sometimes , but she was on 15 minute checks during the night in rehab . I simply cannot do that at home during the night . Please all pray and hope that this is where I finally get listened to. Again I thank you all so much for your help and supportxx
Thinking of you @Alfieden12 At least they are listening and taking the appropriate actions now, even if a little late in the day. Your Mum is in the best place where she will be safe and looked after, and you can get some much needed rest. Please take care of you.
@Alfieden12 Sending hugs
You know where we are if you need to soundboard/vent/ have other questions.
Sounds like the infection is compounding her mental state even more.
My 2 cents - focus in on the best interest meeting and care home suggestions, and check the treatment for infection xray etc. If the infection clears she may be more conscious and agitated soon.
It’s very usual to discuss Advance directives, and an Emergency healthcare plan (EHCP) if you need more info they’re easy to find on google. Best to understand now to make informed decisions.
Hi everyone
I had a call from the complex care manager this morning. Mum will be discharged but under a D2A so that’s so much better than previously thought . I honestly didn’t think I’d get anywhere but they finally have listened and it will be a place of care for her . They will contact me in the next few days and find somewhere for her that I agree with . The relief is immense , at least I know she will be safer and be given a level of care that I cannot provide xx
@Alfieden12 Thanks for sharing this update! PHEW and PHEW!!!
Very relieved for your sake AND your Mum’s!
I hope you can have a proper night of sleep tonight - you deserve it.
Keep us posted on how things go.
hugs!
Thank goodness they have finally seen sense, but it will be a while until you “unwind” from all the stress they have caused. Make a determined effort to relax this weekend. Normally I’d think of something like a walk, but not this coming weekend with the weather.
Hi all
Just a quick update
Mum was discharged from hospital under a d2a last Wednesday into a lovely care home . Typically she ‘hates it ‘ and wants to go home .
I have just had a call from social worker who wants to do a care needs assessment on Thurs . She has been refusing to shower saying she has no shampoo even tho that is not true as I took her plenty of things in. She still has the same trousers on from when she was admitted into hospital , and has had a fall in the home with one of the carers present . Yet still it is all about her wishes . I’ve been told it will go to court of protection if she is adamant she wants to return home and Altho I panicked about that , after speaking to a friend , she has advised me that court of protection would be on my side and either keep her there as a permanent resident , or find her somewhere to be permanent . I am once again at my wits end . I bet if we went into any care home and asked all the residents if they wanted to go home the answers would be yes ! I just feel like the social workers are leaving me in limbo . As she is seemed to lack capacity why on earth are they listening to her . Or am I just overthinking ? Xx