Dad's been in hospital since Friday, pneumonia caused by swallowing problems. He's not been well for a while and I've had GP in several times. He was put on antibiotics 3 times for his chest. He was really poorly last Friday but has picked up well in hospital.
Annoyed that hospital didn't tell us speech therapist was coming in on Monday, so of course they didn't get anywhere as dad had no idea what they wanted and "didn't co-operate". They had stipulated nil by mouth since he came in, so had a complain about that. Got that sorted and went in today while speech therapist was there. She was really helpful, but I just wish I'd known before that his eating problems could cause pneumonia. I feel like I didn't take it seriously enough. I've been trying to adapt food for a while, keep trying to find things easier for him to eat etc. I learnt so much from the speech therapist and I've now found some information on this site about it, but I wish the 'professionals' would tell carers what to watch out for, I feel like I'm always playing catch-up. There's so much to cope with that new problems can creep in while you're trying to solve some other issue. I think they don't want to tell us too much in case we're overwhelmed but I'd like more practical advice ahead of time.
Anyway, seems we're heading into a new stage with dad. Hope I'll be able to deal with it. Have to say I've been so relaxed while he's been in hospital, feel a bit guilty but haven't had a day off for years so it'll boost me up a bit to face the winter.
One last grumble - dad's 6ft4in, but it took 3 days to get staff to extend the bed for him (which takes 30 seconds to do) he couldn't straighten his legs out and feet were pressing against the end of the bed. I could see it was hurting him, why do these things not get done without nagging??? If dad could explain it would have been done straight away I suppose, he's on an elderly ward and there's dementia info everywhere but still things get missed.
Sorry - rambled on a bit! Any info on feeding - with thickeners and puree etc. - would be welcome. xx
Annoyed that hospital didn't tell us speech therapist was coming in on Monday, so of course they didn't get anywhere as dad had no idea what they wanted and "didn't co-operate". They had stipulated nil by mouth since he came in, so had a complain about that. Got that sorted and went in today while speech therapist was there. She was really helpful, but I just wish I'd known before that his eating problems could cause pneumonia. I feel like I didn't take it seriously enough. I've been trying to adapt food for a while, keep trying to find things easier for him to eat etc. I learnt so much from the speech therapist and I've now found some information on this site about it, but I wish the 'professionals' would tell carers what to watch out for, I feel like I'm always playing catch-up. There's so much to cope with that new problems can creep in while you're trying to solve some other issue. I think they don't want to tell us too much in case we're overwhelmed but I'd like more practical advice ahead of time.
Anyway, seems we're heading into a new stage with dad. Hope I'll be able to deal with it. Have to say I've been so relaxed while he's been in hospital, feel a bit guilty but haven't had a day off for years so it'll boost me up a bit to face the winter.
One last grumble - dad's 6ft4in, but it took 3 days to get staff to extend the bed for him (which takes 30 seconds to do) he couldn't straighten his legs out and feet were pressing against the end of the bed. I could see it was hurting him, why do these things not get done without nagging??? If dad could explain it would have been done straight away I suppose, he's on an elderly ward and there's dementia info everywhere but still things get missed.
Sorry - rambled on a bit! Any info on feeding - with thickeners and puree etc. - would be welcome. xx