Dad's Care Conference for May 25-2010

Mom and I attended Dad's Care Conference today.  Mom in person, me, via telephone.

The DON read the list of Dad's medications.  He finished his antibiotics for the UI on 5-16-10 and finished the bacterim for the MRSA on 5-21-10.  At this particular time, Dad is off all blood thinners until further orders from Dad's doctor.

Dad has gained one pound and really LOVES ice cream.

Dad is on stool softners and laxitives for constipation. The nursing home is keeping Dad on the continued orders from his hospital admission notes. Dad takes a multi-vitamin with Iron, but the DON assured us it was not enough to cause any trouble.

Dad is anemic. Again, diagnosis from the hospital.  Did the brain bleed cause it?  The DON did not know and asked me to ask the doctor.  I will be sending an email to the doctor with my questions... I also want to know what else are they doing to monitor Dad's brain bleed?

Dad's hearing aid finally came, but they are not allowing Dad to wear it, for fear he will lose it.  They keep it locked on the nursing med cart and we can ask for it, let Dad wear it, and then return it to the cart.

They also ordered a third pair of eye glasses for Dad.  Dad has lost or given away his last two pairs, saying, "Someone needed them more than he did". We suggested getting one of those necklace things to hold the glasses around his neck.

I asked what they felt were the reasons Dad keeps getting the urinary tract infections.  The DON stated hygiene, for a possible reason.  I told her, Dad would NOT be at fault in that situation.  She also stated Dad did not drink enough water.  Again, would not the nursing home be responsible for that as well??

The nursing home staff offer water every two hours, but if Dad refuses, they move on and ask later.  They can't force him to drink. ( Every time my sister and I are there, he guzzles two cups of water for us.)

I know Dad will not ask, as he does not think of it, plus, he would think he is being a bother...
I asked if his prostate issues would contribute to the UI.  First the DON told me no, then when I explained to her that Dad's prior doctor (before he was admitted) explained to me that the enlarged prostate can put pressure on the kidneys or bladder making it more difficult to urinate, or to make him go more often.  I asked if Dad is not drinking enough water, wouldn't that complicate his problem?  The DON then agreed with me.

Overall, Dad is healing well and quickly from the cuts and abrasions from his fall.


With all Dad's medical issues, and this recent fall, we decided Mom and my second to the oldest brother K___, (who is the Executor) need to review the DNR paperwork.  We all agreed it is better to get that order straightened out now, rather than in the midst of an emotionally difficult situation. 

Hopefully, Dad's doctor will answer my email questions soon...

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I found out today I won a give away on Jenny Matlock's blog at http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/.  I won a really cool french white, casserole dish with a cooling rack and handle.

I also found out I won a drawing at our former Realtor's office for a $50 gift certificate at Tuscany Grill, a nice Italian restaurant in Henderson, NV.

I feel so lucky!! :}