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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
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VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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But when she was put on hospice, they took away many of her meds. She has to drink the lactilose to keep her flowing. But while she will never overcome her condition, she has improved alot compared to how she was in the 3 hospitals.
I don't see that you really have a question here, but if you are curious about what medications were removed and why, I would discuss with Hospice. They are very responsive to family questions.
Hospice is end of life. The meds that were taken away were probably "life sustaining" medications. Once a person chooses Hospice care, these meds are removed. The ones she is or will be taking are comfort meds. Morphine, for pain and ease of breathing, and anxiety meds.
I would perk up too if I was out of a hospital setting and in my own home. But, eventually the desease will take her. So enjoy this time she has perked up. Read up on end stage liver desease so you know what to expect.
You didn't pose an actual question, so I'm going to address the ending of meds and the sudden improvement in your mother-in-law's wellbeing. I think that there are a number of people approaching the end who seem to rally for a short while, before going downhill rapidly.
My stepdad couldn't accept Mum being taken off most of her meds when the palliative care team were called in. There were 2 good reasons for this. One is that Mum's swallow became insecure, which meant she could end up choking on the tablets and that would not be a peaceful death. The other was that Mum was in the end stages of COPD and it was kinder to not prolong her suffering. My stepdad was afraid that Mum would have an epileptic seizure and die without those meds, although the sedative in her syringe driver was also an anticonvulsant medication. I tried to point out that dying in her sleep, or while she was unaware (her seizures were frightening to witness, but she was never aware of them) was much better than Mum dying while struggling to breathe because of the COPD (she used to get really scared when she was extremely breathless) or due to choking.
Mum was in hospital with yet another chest infection when the decision was made to stop all treatment because Mum was failing to thrive. The nurses made Mum comfortable, and she perked up quite a bit. In fact, one of the nurses was a specialist dementia nurse and had been completely unaware that Mum had vascular dementia and was surprised when I mentioned it. They'd had a conversation earlier when Mum had shown no signs. Of course, it became apparent by the evening, but Mum had dementia for a number of years at this time.
When she went home, Mum's brightness continued for a couple of weeks. I think her husband being told to not overexert her and allow her to stay in the hospital bed they'd provided helped, as well as not forcing her to take nutrition. Also, one of the drugs in the syringe driver stopped all secretions, which lessened the fluid in her lungs, but isn't possible to give long-term in such high doses. It's only possible during end of life care. I think this short-lived improvement gave my stepdad false hope.
When the palliative care nurses asked the doctor to visit Mum (and to give them authority over administration of the meds in the syringe driver, so they didn't keep having to ask for a new prescription every time a dose increase was required, which could be daily) he told me to get rest and also to continue living my life. He said this was a marathon, not a sprint.
Then, Mum's condition went downhill rapidly. I think it was much kinder than keep treating every infection and have her afraid when she couldn't breathe. Due to the sedative and morphine, Mum died peacefully and pain free.
Obviously, as the other answer shows, some people rally round and live longer, but this isn't always the case. I think it's wisest to try and take each day as it comes. Deal with what's in front of you.
My DH was diagnosed as having end stage liver disease 4 years ago and was told to get his affairs in order as his life expectancy was "you're nearly dead already". We are fortunate that he seemingly recovered so well and for so long, but I fear our miracle is coming to an end.
He declined being considered for transplant. He had ascites & was being drained of 8-12 liters of fluid monthly. Then had TIPS surgery, which ended the ascites but drastically increased his encephalopathy.
He hated taking so much lactulose, and there were a few trips to ER for falls/erratic behavior... but after that first year he finally levelled off, mentally, thanks to lactulose and Rifaximin.
Over time, particularly the last year or so, he has very gradually gotten worse: with dementia behaviors, incontinence, unsteady gait & decreased mobility. I finally had to place him in SNF for his safety and my sanity early this year. There's no other family near us and I could not continue in-home care by myself-- he needs 24hr supervision now. --------
All of this, to say: Perhaps your MIL will rally for a while? Weeks, months, possibly? year(s). She may even "graduate" from hospice, but do know that it would be temporary.
Without transplant, it's just a matter of time before this disease takes her. I'm so sorry you're facing this!
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
I would perk up too if I was out of a hospital setting and in my own home. But, eventually the desease will take her. So enjoy this time she has perked up. Read up on end stage liver desease so you know what to expect.
I think that there are a number of people approaching the end who seem to rally for a short while, before going downhill rapidly.
My stepdad couldn't accept Mum being taken off most of her meds when the palliative care team were called in.
There were 2 good reasons for this. One is that Mum's swallow became insecure, which meant she could end up choking on the tablets and that would not be a peaceful death. The other was that Mum was in the end stages of COPD and it was kinder to not prolong her suffering.
My stepdad was afraid that Mum would have an epileptic seizure and die without those meds, although the sedative in her syringe driver was also an anticonvulsant medication.
I tried to point out that dying in her sleep, or while she was unaware (her seizures were frightening to witness, but she was never aware of them) was much better than Mum dying while struggling to breathe because of the COPD (she used to get really scared when she was extremely breathless) or due to choking.
Mum was in hospital with yet another chest infection when the decision was made to stop all treatment because Mum was failing to thrive. The nurses made Mum comfortable, and she perked up quite a bit. In fact, one of the nurses was a specialist dementia nurse and had been completely unaware that Mum had vascular dementia and was surprised when I mentioned it. They'd had a conversation earlier when Mum had shown no signs. Of course, it became apparent by the evening, but Mum had dementia for a number of years at this time.
When she went home, Mum's brightness continued for a couple of weeks. I think her husband being told to not overexert her and allow her to stay in the hospital bed they'd provided helped, as well as not forcing her to take nutrition. Also, one of the drugs in the syringe driver stopped all secretions, which lessened the fluid in her lungs, but isn't possible to give long-term in such high doses. It's only possible during end of life care. I think this short-lived improvement gave my stepdad false hope.
When the palliative care nurses asked the doctor to visit Mum (and to give them authority over administration of the meds in the syringe driver, so they didn't keep having to ask for a new prescription every time a dose increase was required, which could be daily) he told me to get rest and also to continue living my life. He said this was a marathon, not a sprint.
Then, Mum's condition went downhill rapidly. I think it was much kinder than keep treating every infection and have her afraid when she couldn't breathe. Due to the sedative and morphine, Mum died peacefully and pain free.
Obviously, as the other answer shows, some people rally round and live longer, but this isn't always the case. I think it's wisest to try and take each day as it comes. Deal with what's in front of you.
I sincerely hope you & MIL can experience some 'good' (considering...) time together, before she passes!
He declined being considered for transplant. He had ascites & was being drained of 8-12 liters of fluid monthly. Then had TIPS surgery, which ended the ascites but drastically increased his encephalopathy.
He hated taking so much lactulose, and there were a few trips to ER for falls/erratic behavior... but after that first year he finally levelled off, mentally, thanks to lactulose and Rifaximin.
Over time, particularly the last year or so, he has very gradually gotten worse: with dementia behaviors, incontinence, unsteady gait & decreased mobility. I finally had to place him in SNF for his safety and my sanity early this year. There's no other family near us and I could not continue in-home care by myself-- he needs 24hr supervision now.
--------
All of this, to say: Perhaps your MIL will rally for a while? Weeks, months, possibly? year(s). She may even "graduate" from hospice, but do know that it would be temporary.
Without transplant, it's just a matter of time before this disease takes her. I'm so sorry you're facing this!