My dad who is 89 and alert and able to walk on his own has been hospitalized in a month. The first time, he want to the ER. He had a nail bed infection in one finger which the retirement home doctor had started treating with an oral antibiotic. However the IV antibiotic jumpstarted the attack on the infection plus the doctor lanced the finger since it was so swollen. He was diagnosed earlier at the retirement home w/anemia. The retirement doctor had suggested an iron supplement and wanted to check into the cause. When my dad was released the first time, he came home and complained of fatigue and then became dehydrated. The retire. home doctor once again diagnosed that and wanted to send him to the ER for IV rehydration which my dad refused. The next day, he was sent to the hospital because he was still dehydrated. That was addressed at the hospital but then they started looking into his anemia. They decided w/o consulting us (my dad is competent) administered blood transfusion to jumpstart his red blood cell production and some hours later an antibiotic for his finger (which seemed almost healed to us). Not quite 24 hours later, he had a low-grade fever and some diarrhea. Now he is on an antibiotic. My brother and I who are close by told the staff that any intervention needs to be cleared by us. Has anyone had an elderly relative get a blood transfusion? What have been your experiences?
My mom has a senior advantage supplimental ins that goes along with medicare. Before any procedures are done, they run it by their in-hospital dr who works for the combination medical/ins company. They don't want any unnecessary procedures because it costs them money.
I know if I had not been in charge of my mom's care for the last 10 years she wouldn't still be here. Raising 4 boys was a breeze compared to being responsible for my mom's care.
You have to be vigilant. We had a situation where my father-in-law's POA and medical POA both clearly refused an invasive procedure only to have the doctor visit his room after we'd left and have him sign for it (he was very clearly experiencing hospital dementia and not capable of making even small decisions). They performed the procedure the next morning.
It really makes you question their motives. Medicare is a very tempting 'cash cow'.
Years ago when my mom was going through her dementia testing @ the medical school, her gerotologist told me that dehydration is for them the # 1 reason elderly men get admitted to the ER and hip break # 1 for women & they all eventually have anemia and cataracts if they live long enough. But for the men it gets to be a continuous pattern that the dear old guy is a widow and goes working in the yard or goes out on an errand and doesn't rehydrate and then collapses with 911 called, goes to ER then hospital for 3 days with all sorts of transfusions (blood, electrolites, etc) and then is tippy-top refreshed then back home. Only to do this again. Transfusions works great and is of minimal intervention but doesn't solve the bigger problem. Think about if this is what the situation is for your dad. Good luck!