Valjean's meds have been changed -- from dilaudid, with its peaks and valleys, to a longer-lasting morphine -- to keep her on a more even keel. That means she tires more quickly, sleeps more, and says she feels somewhat hazy when she's awake.
Her own condition, plus the cramped hospice environment, lead me to suggest a (voluntary) change in visitor behavior: Please keep your visit short, and be alert to her energy level; it's more difficult now for her to ask people to leave, so she's counting on you. Keep the number of visitors in her room to no more than two or three; if there are already people in her room when you arrive, there's a very nice family room and a kitchen at the end of the hall where you can hang out.
We're in the process now of looking for 24-hour home care so VJ can have more pleasant and familiar surroundings. The doctor has suggested we get an LPN because of the complexity of her needs, though he says the right CNA might also do. If you've had experience, good or bad, with any local agencies or caregivers, please let us know with a comment on the blog.
Thanks for keeping up with Valjean's progress.
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4 comments:
It was my experience that some facility healthcare workers do homecare on their days off. The staff at Valjean's current place might be a good place to start looking. I found it hard to staff weekends through agencies. Good luck with homecare. If you can put it together, and it will probably require hours on the phone, homcare is as good as it gets.
Sally Hughes
I had another couple of thoughts. It was my experience, barring legal and insurance requirements - aides, by law, can't give shots or deal with feeding tubes - aides are the best hands-on caregivers. It doesn't seem to matter what a person's qualifications are or what they look like. The woman who helped me take care of my mother in homecare for two years was over sixty years old, needed dentures, had hair down to her butt, missed three days of work in two years, was knowledgeable, devoted and caring. You'll also need a backup person in case a scheduled worker calls in sick. You're in for a lot of work but I'm sure it will be worth it.
Council for Jewish Elderly might help or if there is a similar Catholic services group around might be a try.
Also, I would like to speak with one of her primary support network folks, e.g., Guidi or Laura?
How may I reach you?
Faye from Champaing
And friends should be on hand as often as possible, as many hours as people can manage. No one will have care responsibilities, but a friend is often necessary--a second pair of hands, a friendly face/voice, a personal presence for personal communication.
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