Every couple of months, our mom (93, post stroke, post hip break repair, vascular dementia, wheelchair bound in a NH) thinks she has a contagious illness; a couple of times it's been MRSA, for one entire summer, she told us she had leprosy.
I think these are delusions. My SIL, who does most of the visiting and listening, generally things there is a "grain of truth" in them.
I have asked for the NH to do a nasal swab to test for MRSA. If it comes back negative, do we reassure? Do we tell her "there's this great new nasal spray that cures MRSA"?
There are two brand new great grand babies in the family and she is refusing to see them because of the MRSA.
She's had MRSA in the past; on orders from her doctor, we did not divulge that the infection had been a MRSA-based one. It is difficult, but not impossible to cure. When a relative had it in the past (BEFORE she had dementia) she was certain the person would die; I guess you could say that she's always tended to catastrophize things.
Any and all suggestions are welcome. I spent the "summer of leprosy" schlepping her to doctors...I am not doing that again. It gave her NO peace of mind and nearly caused several falls. The NH doctor strongly advised at that point that she be considered "facility bound" and that any medical providers she needed be brought in.
I have heard of NHs reducing or decreasing patients meds to save money. One lady had high blood pressure and they only gave her meds if her B/P was up. I just throw up my hands in horror.
It turns at that mom's dose of Lexapro was reduced a while back. Don't know when, yet. I am beyond livid.
I've asked the director of the facility to call tomorrow to find out when, why and by whom changed. Steam coming out of my ears.
Truth be told, she has always been a catastrophizer about medical issues. And yes, she has a lot of time on her hands.
The looking at red spots and seeing cancer I get. My sil's mom died of an undetected melanoma. My mom is Irish, extremely fair, grew up before sun precautions and has had melanoma before.
MESA and leprosy? I don't know. She had MRSA once, and wasn't told. My mother in law had it after a surgery a couple of years back and MY mom was so worried about her! My MIL (My ex's mom) brushed it off as she does stuff like this and got on with life.
Can you tell I'm not the warm and fuzzy type?
Thank God for SIL; mom had no patience for nonsense like this when it came from me as a kid. I not very patient, which is why it's nice she's in a place with sympathetic nurses and aides.
So glad I can vent here!
I like the idea of the special printed labels! Thanks!
I think my poor SIL gets the brunt of this, because she goes to visit mom after work.
I'm hoping mom will listen to the facility folks if the tests come back negative. Otherwise, I guess we'll just empathize with her.
Then I was thinking about how TV is filled with all these commercials for medicine, and all the side effects that one can get. What your Mom tends to get isn't part of the side-effect list, but maybe it just grows into one.