Cost of home care for 88 year old

margaretclare

The trick with pain relief - any pain relief - is to keep on top of it. Keep taking the pain relievers, don't wait for the pain to come back. In the case of someone with pancreatic cancer the pain is going to come back! Yes, morphine, morphine-derivatives and morphine-like substances can cause nausea. Have a look at this: http://www.chemocare.com/managing/nausea_vomiting__chemotherapy.asp

As you can see, there's a list of medications that can deal with, or least minimise, the nausea. Zofran is the one I'm most familiar with.

I am most concerned that you say 'the nurse in charge was not aware...' The nurse in charge should damn well have been aware! This is why Mum needs nursing as opposed to so-called 'care'!

PS: Suggest you ask to speak to the nurse specialist in pain relief/member of the acute pain relief team. You may have to do this through PALS (Patient Liaison Service).

John_Pierpoint

What is the prognosis? I was told it would be about 6 weeks (malignant melanoma secondary as a brain tumour though this was not clearly diagnosed at the time). I must admit I was a bit cynical as they were still banging on about "self funding" at the time; so I was thinking "Oh yes, well we are doing our best to get Lasting Power of Attorney, so I expect it will be more like 6 months".
When the prognosis is short and the need is self evidently nursing not care, the NHS has a procedure for paying for continuing health care.
Mr Dog was given a room in a nice BUPA nursing home, even if he did get the small room with a view over the car park.

cepheus

Complained to the Palliative care McMillan nurse this morning, she came up with an explanation, but I'm not convinced. Anyway, Mum is back on the painkillers now, Oxycontin & paracetamol. She is sleepy, weak, not eating much, but pain free.

I'm seeing the consultant tomorrow presumably about her likely mortality and next residence. I have shortlisted and visited 2 of the better nursing homes in the area and a hospice. Presumably if the lifespan estimate is more than a month it could be a nursing home.

According to her notes she has just had a part 2 continuing healthcare assessment today, this should determine if she qualifies for NHS funding.

cepheus

The consultant told me of a possible infection and anaemic signs today, as if she didn't have enough problems, and that it may take until next week to discharge her, however he did apologise for the mix up with drug therapy and told me the ward sister was investigating it.

Then I saw the case manager who said she had assessed Mum this morning for NHS Continued healthcare funding (CHC) and she did not qualify! :mad:
Incredibly she assessed her drug therapies as 'C' straightforward. Obviously, she had not spoken to the consultant, see above. I asked what came of her CHC assessment yesterday mentioned in her notes. She said these were wrong and had been thrown away. :wall: The case notes were quickly snatched away from the bed when I visited again this afternoon. :silenced:

You think I am making this up don't you?

On my return however I received a call from another care manager who said that they had decided to fast track Mum and give her NHS funding after all, moreover she could be moved as early as Monday. This will please Mum who is eager to leave, and can't sleep at night. However, the NHS could not fund our preferred nursing home preference but our second choice, ironically the more expensive one, due to 'bureaucracy' (the case managers words).

So a sort of result; although it won't make her any better.:( It is so distressing to see her drugged up to the eyeballs and slurring her words although better than in pain I suppose. She wanted a bet on the grand national and is still doing the lottery though!

margaretclare

Thanks for the update, and commiserations. So, so sad.

Savvy_Sue

cepheus wrote: »

You think I am making this up don't you?

Sadly, no ...

Hope Mum can be moved somewhere more comfortable very soon, and that she receives excellent care.

bambinaUK

Popped back in to suggest that you give your mum earplugs if you haven't done so already. My mum has been back in hospital too this week and the first thing she packs is earplugs!!

Also im sorry to hear about her declining health.

John_Pierpoint

cepheus wrote: »

On my return however I received a call from another care manager who said that they had decided to fast track Mum and give her NHS funding after all, moreover she could be moved as early as Monday. This will please Mum who is eager to leave, and can't sleep at night. However, the NHS could not fund our preferred nursing home preference but our second choice, ironically the more expensive one, due to 'bureaucracy' (the case managers words).

I hope mum comes up on the Grand National:T
The NHS will have some sort of deal with the nursing home - there are wheels within wheels that might even link back to the planning permission. [It used to be called a "Section 106 agreement" not sure what it is called now that "localism" is all the rage. It is a sort of legalised blackmail = You can have planning permission as long as you provide the following "social" benefits.............]
"Debt & taxes" - I think the economy is maxed out on both.

This is the situation I was in plus a bit of "dark humour" from another poster....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/36325263#Comment_36325263

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/36415807#Comment_36415807

Savvy_Sue

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

This is the situation I was in plus a bit of "dark humour" from another poster,

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.php?searchid=124625423

that link goes nowhere, I'm afraid John!

cepheus

Awful time yesterday, the ocycontil must be affecting mum's mind. She was worried about if her husband was dead or in pain. He died 5 years ago in similar circumstances. Earlier she thought she was in Wales, not sure why. The hospital must have brought back memories of the awful time we had with him in a different ward. It's amazing that only a day ago, I agreed with the case manager she had a clear bill of mental health.

Mum had refused to take her pills earlier and was in pain so I'm not sure why she was so dellusional, but she later agreed to take the liquid version of the drug after only minor persuasion from us. Someone suggested that non-regular administation of the drug might be causing this problem. I can't understand why they can't use a drip, although they did suggest this for paracetemol.

Today she gets assessed for the nursing home, unfortunatitely they don't take on patients with severe mental problems, I had assured them she was fully OK in that department.

Dread going today