My parent has recently declined and has been in a nursing home for a year. His medication needs to reevaluated and he is not eating, just sleeping. The nursing home will not transfer him to a hospital for reevaluation. Who can I contact to get this process to happen?
Otherwise, does Dad still have a primary doctor outside of the nursing home? Would Dad be mobile enough to ride in a car to visit this doctor, or would you need to hire a medical transport van?
I think nursing homes only send patients to the hospital for emergencies, thus 911.
The nursing home has seen patients like your Dad 100's of time, thus they know the symptoms. It could be what your Dad is going through is normal [though it might not seem normal to us]. May I ask why your Dad is in a nursing home, what are his medical issue?
If you need to arrange transportation support and the Skilled Nursing Facility does not provide this, you might search for 'inhome medical care' services or call your local Area Agency on Aging. They have access to every support service available to elders and can advise. Typically Geriatric Care Managers are a valuable source of support and can take over all the legwork for you. There are generally quite a number of these managers in any given area. They do charge for their services but typically taking this burden off your shoulders is well worth it.
I wish you the best at this difficult time!
How old is your father? How long ago was he diagnosed with possible Parkinson's? Has he shown any signs of dementia? Has he lost a lot of weight since he stopped eating? Those are all things that could factor into your decision.
I like the idea of having an hospice evaluation. The NH doctor will probably order this if you request it. If not, you can probably call a hospice service yourself and ask for an evaluation. If they conclude that he is at the very end of his life, then you will have an answer to the basic question, and they can provide comfort care, right where he is.
If they say his not ready for hospice, then you can decide what further steps you can take.
Getting him to a hospital will be somewhat traumatic for him. Having the NH doctor evaluate him (if hospice rejects him) would save all that disturbance. Perhaps the doctor could order some tests done right where he is. Have you had a face-to-face meeting with this doctor? Is he/she a geriatrician?
You are in a very distressing situation. I hope you get some resolution.
That's if you're desperate and have talked to the NP, and the medical director and they won't cooperate and won't give you an acceptable reason why they don't feel a hospital visit is necessary. I fully understand your desire for hospital evaluation, because I know what nursing home evaluation consists of, and that it can be found wanting. The hospital *will get to the bottom of why your parent is sleeping all the time and not eating. Nursing home medical staff will offer you anecdotes and be content to "wait it out." So, as your parent's advocate, you do what you see fit!
My mother is in a nursing home as well and it amazes me how resistant they seem to giving care when that's why they exist. Good luck to you.
You need to tell the Charge Nurse (RN) caring for you dad, or talk to the doctor yourself. If you have already talked to the nurse... & nothing is happening, then call the doctor yourself.