Follow
Share

So, my grandma has congestive heart failure and I'm just finding out she has had it for years. I have cared for her for 5 years and she's been on the meds for longer than that. Right now she has pneumonia that she got due to being in rehab untreated that we are working on. She does have fluid in her basil part of her lungs. Despite all that, she's walking, talking (sometimes to people we can't see but usually to use), interacting, eating with sometimes no assistance or with a little bit of persaussion but still eating, and overall still living with me. I don't mind caring for her as she's sleeping at night and still interacting with others, giving kisses to her great-grandchildren even calling them by name a lot. I just don't know in general when it's time to call Hospice or talk to someone about it. The doctor is still convinced she will get better and has put her back on her water pill. She has a cough but it's strong as she's still strong. They keep reminding me she has dementia so that's going to be the thing that takes her not something like this. What do others think? As long as a person is functioning, they are ok right?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
My Dad is in memory care, had been for a little over 6 months, when he got pneumonia and ended up in the hospital. That was when the doctor recommended hospice. He has been on hospice now since late October 2016.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Your grandma could be ok for awhile. Does she cough while she is eating or drinking liquids? If yes, then that is an aspiration issue where food/liquids are slipping into the lungs.

My Dad had aspiration pneumonia, he was in the hospital, and it was there where his doctor had recommended Hospice.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I recently went online and did some research on criteria for Hospice. I'm not sure if the factors are universal or not. It seems like there are different factors considered for people with cancer and with dementia. It seemed pretty specific, but, I don't have any direct knowledge about it. I hope those who do will chime in and help you with some suggestions.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter