Grandmother Update
I know it’s been a very long time since I posted about issues involving my grandmother (who has a severe form of muscular dystrophy, is confined to a wheelchair and has been using a g tube for 2 years). Overtime, her condition has gotten significantly worse (she can no longer stand up to go to the bathroom, her right hand is completely paralyzed and she has fallen out of her chair at least 2 times both last night and 3 days ago) and my family is considering having her get a colostomy bag so that she can go to the bathroom (I don’t think the woman who is caring for her is even qualified to change the bag because it’s considered medical) and a possible placement in some type of care facility in the future. The local convalescent center I know will not take someone who has her condition because I remember someone on here said that the facility has to be qualified to handle people with a disease like my grandma’s.
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Many wheelchair bound people reply on pads & a bowel schedule (supps given at a set time). Or sometimes a suprapubic catheter is used.
Maybe a referral is required to get specialist advice on comtinence (continence clinic or muscular dystrophy expert).
If the aim is for your Grandmother to stay at home for as long as possible, maybe a home visit by Physio or OT could advice best way to now transfer your Grandmother, what equipment is best & to train the carer.
If it is time to move into care, then start making calls & researching.
Don't let the training of the current carer weigh into this as training can always be provided. Find the right care path first & bring everyone along.
Such a difficult situation for all of you. I hope that your caregiver is willing to be trained and all is well.