Follow
Share

Some context: my mom has cancer and is now receiving hospice care. Previously, she had broken a leg after having a double knee surgery. She was in physical therapy for a month at a nursing home, but after coming home, her once recuperating leg has now become very swollen and tender to the touch. This and her decline in muscle mass have made changing her with little to no pain almost impossible. What was once a one person job has become a three person job, but we still end up causing her pain, and I don’t want to hurt her anymore.


She has recently been prescribed morphine. It’s fast-acting, so I know I can give it to her 15 mins before changing her. My only issue is that sometimes, I don’t have the help to change her or I don’t have enough people to make sure she has support for her very painful leg. And I fear that while it might work, it’s not enough to really curb the pain. I also don’t want her to be so out of it with the morphine afterwards.


I’m basically trying to explore my options. Should I consider asking her nurse to get her a catheter or would a hoist/lift be an option I should consider? Is there something else that I could be missing that I could do instead?


Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to make sure any and all relevant info was in here. I appreciate the help!

We are in a similar situation with our mom and trying to keep her at home with hospice. We just decided to start using a catheter and it has been much easier for us and for her…..not to move her as often. We do still lift her to a commode for bm if we have enough help. Hospice brought a lift for us to keep at her home and it does work well when she is strong enough for us to sit her up on side of bed first. Truthfully her care is still very difficult and is 24/7. We have had to hire quite a lot of help (expensive). Hospice has been great but can only visit twice a week. We also use morphine for her sponge baths and nighttime anxiety. Blessings to you and your mom as you walk this path, and know that none of us are alone.
P.S. I have found a series of short videos on YouTube done by “Julie the Hospice Nurse” that have been very helpful!
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to darc65
Report

Agree with others wondering if something can be done to address leg pain itself. If there is an infection, it needs to be treated ASAP.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to RedVanAnnie
Report

There's a patient turn assist device which goes under the patient's legs.
It's like a U shaped foam with cut outs for their legs, so you can gently turn her to one side, and her legs will be stabilized.
I don't know if that will help, or if you can get it under her legs without hurting her.

I'm so sorry she's going thru this.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to CaringWifeAZ
Report

See about getting your loved one a hospital bed with a trapeze overhead. If need be, a sling or traction can be attached to help "lift" the leg to ease her pain and make changing her easier.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Taarna
Report

berrytired: Please seek emergent care stat for possible knee infection.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Llamalover47
Report

You might want to change to diaper style underpants that have snaps on the sides and extra long overnight incontinence pads. Sometimes I use more than one. Try several sizes for a good fit. That way you won't have to move her legs. I am still mobile and while on the John, slip out the old one and in with the new, just sliding the snapon down, or opening it if there is more than urine. Also use the incontinence sheets for under all just in case. Good Luck. Let me know if it works.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Bonanzatree
Report

It sounds as if your mother’s knee could be infected. Get this checked out as a priority. The infection could be causing the swelling and pain.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to Elainera
Report

Catheter for sure. You just empty the bag and she won't need to be moved so much. A hoist would be dangerous without proper experience or training. That is too much to go through to be changed several times a day!

Fast acting morphine is given specifically for pain. It is the Gold Standard of pain meds. Most all cancer patients get it for their personal comfort, because it is the only drug that works for extreme pain...what it was invented for!

She won't be "out of it" but relaxed instead. Not fearing being touched, anxious and suffering. COMFORT is the goal of Hospice. It will help keep the catheter discomfort (if any) down as well. Ask the Nurse about proper dosing for "breakthrough" pain as well.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to Dawn88
Report

A catheter or purewick would definitely help with less changing, and perhaps a hoist would make the process less painful, but that’s typically a two person job.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to PeggySue2020
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter