My mom has gotten to the point where she cannot walk, can barely move, cannot speak, can't go the washroom without assistance. About two weeks ago, she stopped eating food. She drinks a bit of water, a bit apple juice, and they make little vitamin shakes and she has a bit of that. She needs a lot of assistance drinking, the nurse has to tip her head back a bit. If the nurse doesn't do this she just spits it all back up. I hate to even think or ask this question, but how long can she live like this? Is this the beginning of the end? And, not to sound crude, but the home she is in wants me to purchase a wheelchair, which is expensive. I am leaning towards renting, given her palliative state.
God bless you!
It does appear that she is very close to the end!
8 to 21 days without food or water, however, she is recieving some nutrition.
Do you know if there is a POLST on file? Do you know what her final wishes are?
My heart goes out to you!!
I know this is a very tough time!!
Prayers and Hugs!!
It's way past time to apply for hospice care. If she's in palliative care now, that will continue with the added services of everything she needs being free and paid for by Medicare. I'm surprised the nurse hasn't suggested that long ago. What you describe are the final stages of AD which has no definitive life expectancy, but seems fairly close in your case, seeing she's not eating and has little water intake. Hospice will come to the house and provide all the necessary supplies that are needed to care for your mom including a wheelchair. Have the palliative care provider refer your mom to hospice. Two drs will have to approve her application.
Encouragement, praise, hugs and Boost-type supplements will help her.
Secondhand wheelchairs are also available at estate sales, charity thrift stores and Craigslist. Mom was sent home from the hospital with one and this was covered by her health benefits and Medicare.