Cost of home care for 88 year old

John_Pierpoint

Sometimes they get it wrong, as I was able to demonstrate having obtained access to the GP's and the Hospital's medical records.
I have often wondered how the "cause of death" statistics are compiled, when the death certificate has multiple causes.
Here is a typical thread asking about help with probate; remember we are here to help.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3030152

Savvy_Sue

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Here is a typical thread asking about help with probate; remember we are here to help.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3030152

Typical? You trying to scare cepheus? :rotfl: She's already on the Free Wills thread, and it sounds much more straightforward than Mr Dog!

John_Pierpoint

I think I was trying to demonstrate that even when things go wrong, with the help of the MSE forum you can win through.

The process, especially when it turns out that Inheritance Tax is involved, becomes a case of the tax tail wagging the legal dog.

Should not be a problem in this case !

Good luck.

cepheus

The medical certificate only mentioned cancer of the pancreas and bile duct.

I explained to the death registrar that the consultant had mentioned the possibility of an infection from insertion of the stent, the use of antibiotics, and a failure to respond to antibiotics. In addition I mentioned his estimate of life of 2 months which was reduced to hours only days later, although she actually lasted 2 more days after that.

She refused to issue the death certificate and has informed the coroner. I'm sort of kicking myself since it delays things. My cousin would kill me since he thinks I am going through a process of denial. 'It is cancer' full stop in his opinion.

True, this would surely have killed her within months or weeks, and possibly weakened her to make her susceptible for infection but surely infection should be mentioned on the death certificate? Obviously I'm a glutton for punishment.

Savvy_Sue

cepheus wrote: »

The medical certificate only mentioned cancer of the pancreas and bile duct.

I explained to the death register that the consultant had mentioned the possibility of an infection from insertion of the stent, the use of antibiotics, and a failure to respond to antibiotics. In addition I mentioned his estimate of life of 2 months which was reduced to hours only days later, although she actually lasted 2 more days after that.

She refused to issue the death certificate and has informed the coroner. I'm sort of kicking myself since it delays things. My cousin would kill me since he thinks I am going through a process of denial. 'It is cancer' full stop in his opinion.

True, this would surely have killed her within months or weeks, and possibly weakened her to make her susceptible for infection but surely infection should be mentioned on the death certificate? Obviously I'm a glutton for punishment.

cepheus, I think you have to do what you have to do. Yes, it delays things. Hopefully you will find out quickly how much it will delay things, but there will be a few things you can carry on with, like sorting things out at home.

troubleinparadise

Dear Cepheus,

The doctor certifying should list: 1) the disease or condition that led directly to death 2) the intermediate cause 3) the underlying cause.

Is your concern over what is on the Certificate because of factual inaccuracies that you wish to have re-written? I would agree that the one cause listed doesn't really meet the criteria the doctor should be adhering to, and that statistics will not be accurately recorded as such.

If you would like to address concerns over your Mother's treatment in hospital, I suggest that you contact the PALs (Patient and Liaison) office in the hospital itself. They can listen to any issues you may have with regard to what happened with your Mother, and hopefully you might get a fuller answer with regard to her sudden downturn if that would be of help to you.

cepheus

Troubleinparadise

That is helpful.

troubleinparadise

Dear Cepheus,

I'm glad to have been a bit helpful at your sad time of loss.

It is important to understand what happened, and to hopefully have your mind put at rest as to whether all was done as it could or should have been.

Sadly sometimes there just is a catastrophic downturn that no-one can sort, but when it comes as a shock it is so difficult to accept. For medical staff, they see this happen frequently - but as relatives it isn't something we are ready for. And there are always cases which go against the odds and someone rallies and recovers - so it is often nigh on impossible for the medics to give you a clear answer as to prognosis - how long is a piece of string?

When my dad was in decline, we were busy sorting out where he would be discharged to. As it turned out, his several infections and underlying disease were overwhelming him. But to suddenly have to stop working out which care home, how to afford it and then start arranging a funeral was an incredibly shocking, painful and difficult thing to do.

Allow yourself time to recuperate if possible - the pain of loss is a real challenge, even if in some cases a kindly release for the person suffering. For those bereaved it just hurts whatever the situation.

Best wishes x

cepheus

The coroner has refused to add infection to the medical certificate because although there were some signs of an infection after the operation she was deteriorating at the time of admission to hospital.

Well of course, she would have been, her bile duct was blocked causing jaundice, which was unblocked after the stent was fitted, then she began to recover slightly, before the infection was reported and in the consultants words she 'failed to respond to antibiotics' and turned downhill in 2 days rather than the consultants estimate of 2 months.

Obviously, this has made me only more angry since it has delayed things for a nonsensical explanation. If my relatives find out the direct cause of death was questioned by me it will only upset them.

I will not contest this further as I am emotionally exhausted and isolated and people are already asking why they can't see the body. Hopefully, I can get things moving now.

clemmatis

I'm sorry, cepheus. But your wanting an accurate account of the cause/s of death was not silly or too demanding.

My mother's certificate reads 1. dementia 2, old age. The registrar explained what the GP meant but asked if I'd like a post mortem. If I'd known in advance she'd ask, if I'd been prepared, I'd have said yes. But I somehow said no.

My mother had lain dying for days, as opposed to the 24-48 hours the doctors expected, so there was no reason to look for an immediate precipitating cause. But, I would have liked to know more about her general state of ill-health, for my own peace of mind. You have even more reason to want to know.

And your family? You have been left, as I was, to do all the work, make all the arrangements. This was your call, you had the right to make it.

Now: take care.