They gave a nebulizer .. kinda backfired, made him agitated & didn’t help salvia come out. Got a suction machine. Doesn’t work- the secretions are too far down. Thanks in advance ☺️
He is on a puréed diet & gets plenty of fluids. He doesn’t seem like he’s pocketing… it was suggested to maybe put a tube down his nose to clear it that way… I hope not thanks again!
Apple cider vinegar will banish a UTI. One time of 1/4 or 1/3 cup acv in something super sweet, to hide it. Stress is a big one too. If we pushed her, or especially someone she didn't like, pushed my Mom to eat, she wouldn't eat. But set a plate in front of her and better yet eat with her like an enjoyable meal, she gobbled it up. We had a nurse determine my Mom had forgotten how to eat. My Mom was afraid of her. Without her, my Mom would eat just fine. Same with the hospital. The speech therapist determined a pureed diet when my Mom was still out if it from infection and a sedative. No one would eat at that point. When she could eat, it grossed my Mom out and she wasn't familiar with it so wouldn't eat. I begged them to let me feed her as she was begging for food after 3 days (and going quickly downhill from malnutrition). They finally did and watched in amazement, as she gobbled up all her favorites from me, chewing and swallowing with no problem. The therapist finally overrode the recommendations and told the nurse "give her whatever her daughter says". Familiarity, comfort, no stress, good food, but #1 infection. From my experience only. God bless!
Iong way down it can be a crusty plug. Work on it for a while. If you cannot remove it, you see his breathing is labored and he is not on hospice, then your only recourse is the ER because an ENT appointment is too long. If he is on hospice, then check with the nurse for the next steps. He will need a visit.
My late husband(who had vascular dementia)almost died from aspiration pneumonia in 2018 and had to have his food pureed and his drinks thickened until he died 2 years later.
The neurologist at the hospital said because my husband had dementia(like your dad has)that his brain was no longer telling his throat to close when he ate or drank thus allowing both to go into his lungs.
When eventually my husband was under hospice care they prescribed the Scopolamine patches to put behind each ear, and Atropine drops to put under his tongue to try and clear up the excess secretions.
I hope you realize how very serious this can be for your dad, and that most people do not survive aspiration pneumonia. My husband did initially survive it, but because he almost died, he developed sepsis and septic shock and was completely bedridden for the last 22 months of his life.
I'm sorry you're dealing with such a thing and I hope you can get dad signed up with hospice asap.