My dad is in a nursing home close to me and I go see him about 3x a week. In Jan/Feb of this year, he experienced much grief - first with shingles, then Covid. He spent about a month total between two hospital stays. When he came back the first time to the NH, he had the most awful rash on his backside. This made his second stay in the hospital extremely difficult as he was in extreme pain anytime he was moved (he hardly walks anymore unless maybe during PT). Anyways, this rash has gotten slightly better. He has a wound nurse assigned to him. This his nurse keeps me informed of topical cream changes and the need for my dad to shower more. For a while he was only showering 1x every 10 days. He hates showering and would become defiant with the staff, he was the same way when he lived with me. The nurse has explained countless times (along with myself) to my dad that he has to stop sitting in his wheelchair because the bacteria loves anywhere that will allow for it grow and fester, etc. My dad has some dementia and asks over and over again why he has this rash and I just don’t know what to do. Although he has some dementia, he is still cognitive and can make his own decisions for the most part. He can function, but I know that he’s uncomfortable and it is pretty raw on his backside. I feel that the NH is doing what they can, but it’s either not enough or my dad simply needs more assistance. Can my dad request to go to the hospital and have them help him?
Is he on Medicaid? This will limit what doctors he is able to be treated by. If he's on just Medicare, and he can't travel to a dermatologist, then maybe set up a video appointment and supply good qualify up close pics of the rash.
There are a multitude of causes for "a rash". They definitely can be painful and/or intensely itchy. Would your Dad be open to having a sitz bath at the NH and then laying on his stomach with his affected skin allowed to "air dry"? Sometimes more treatment isn't helpful, especially if the type of rash is unknown.
Could he be allergic to whatever material is in his disposable briefs? A latex allergy?
I am concerned but at this point I am at a loss of what to do about it. I've given it up to the gods because I don't have any control over this. This might be the thing that eventually takes him.
I have become pragmatic -- my father just lost his wife of 71 years three weeks ago, has mild dementia and mobility problems. He is in a NH because he can no longer take care of himself. There is nothing left to fight for. I just want him comfortable and pain free.
Why can't he compromise and lay on his SIDE? I would hate to be on my stomach.
A thick piece of memory foam in his wheelchair to sit on would give some relief.
Honestly his not showering/bathing is contributing to this rash too.
Also what about diaper cream? I wonder if that would help too.