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I take care of a dear friend of mine whom I have known for almost 40 yrs. I have been taking care of him for 3 yrs now...as his Caregiver, Medical POA, housekeeper, cook, chauffeur, and accountant. When we connected again after many years of not seeing each other, it was as though we had never parted company. We are very close (friends) and never had a relationship other than friendship. Within the last 6 months, he has stopped being able to take care of himself regarding his personal hygiene. That's OK because I have enlisted the help of one of his male friends whom he has known and loved for many years to come over every 2 weeks to help him with his showering.
He has a heart valve problem (systemic murmur) and gets winded easily but other than that he has no major issues other than Dimentia. Lately though, he has had diarrhea a lot and is messing himself, clothing and the bathroom. Is this a sign of some sort of failure? How long should I wait before calling his physician? (who is useless by the way) Maybe it's just a phase but it concerns me.
Does anyone have some advice? Thank you all and many Blessings to all of you wonderful people!

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Have you started him on coconut oil? Very likely side effect of coconut oil. Never tried the oil with my mom just for that reason.
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Make sure he drinks at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day. Choose fruit juice without pulp, broth, or soda (without caffeine). Chicken broth (without the fat), tea with honey, and sports drinks are also good choices. Instead of drinking liquids with your meals, drink liquids between meals. Drink small amounts of fluids frequently.
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Maybe it is due to a medication you have taken him off? Did any of the meds list as a side effect constipation?
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TY Jeanie! He was on a lot of meds when I came back to Maine. I am a Holistic Healer and got him off all the meds! His vitals have been perfect since. The meds were killing him. So there is nothing to be concerned about as far as meds are concerned. I am always forcing him to drink water (filtered of course) but he is like a child and sometimes I have to force him to drink. As far as his diet is concerned...I allow him to eat stuff I would never touch. Because he has eaten these things his entire life! Go figure! He is banging his cane and I have to go! TY! Much LOVE and Blessings!
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Don't wait at all. If the doctor is "useless" maybe a call to the nurseline provided by most insurance companies and clinics would be a good starting place.

How long has this been going on?

Do anti-diarrhea pills help?

Can you determine any triggers? Does this happen after eating greasy foods, or when he is upset or on some other pattern? Or does it seem random?

Is he running a high temperature?

Has there been any change in his meds or in the kind of food he is eating?

These are some of the things you should be ready to discuss when calling the nurse help line or the doctor's office.

Be very careful to keep him hydrated while this is going on.

How wonderful that he has you and another friend to look after him!
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