My sister lives in a memory care facility where the residents are encouraged to spend a lot of time in the common areas. One of the nurses called me today to say they have one resident with a confirmed case of Flu and they want to give all the residents a course of Tamiflu. I understand the need to prevent an outbreak with something so contagious, but i also worry about adding anything to her list of meds. I'm wondering if this will be safe for her. Thanks.
Subjecting my sweet, intelligent but forgetful sister and her neighbors to an outbreak of an unpleasant and possibly fatal virus when with precautions it probably be averted just makes sense and seems compassionate to me.
However, I may some day have a similar point of view as you do in this moment, when I become caregiver for a loved one with dementia. I feel compassion for you.
I don't want to alarm anyone but I would monitor my loved ones if they are given this drug.
Last March one resident in my mom's memory care facility tested positive for type a flu and they wanted to give everyone tamiflu - since my mom is very sensitive to drugs I asked her pcp for his opinion - since she had just had a UTI a bad fall and a night in the hospital he recommended the tamiflu as we didn't need her getting the flu
I wasn't aware of the potential side effects but would probably allow it again with a more vigilant eye
I have to admit I was surprised the facility instituted a hand washing policy during the outbreak and was required to post a notice at the entrance until cleared by the health dept. one would think a hand washing police would always be in effect
On the other hand, I have read about critical positions in the military of other countries taking this to stay on task for months at a time with no problems. Use needs to be run by the doc or NP of the community at the very least.
I feel such an almost overwhelming responsibility toward my sister as her DPOA, and every decision I make for her can be stressful somehow.
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