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.
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
CFT, I'll keep my fingers tightly crossed that your sister doesn't pick up this nasty bug. All other considerations aside, real 'flu is a miserable experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone.
The staff is not included in the tamiflu One of the nurses told me that if they get sick, they have to go to their own doctors.
Gershun, I am so sorry your dear mom died, and that you have this continuing grief over the Tamiflu that might have made her sick. I am definitely calling my sister every day to see how she is.
I don't want to alarm anyone but I would monitor my loved ones if they are given this drug.
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.
Thank you Babalou, that is it exactly about the call on the cell phone.
When my Mom was in long-term-care, they asked if it was ok to give her the flu shot to which I said yes, as my parents have had flu shots yearly for the past 30 years [same with me].
According to the commercials on TV about Tamilflu, all it does is shorten the flu by one day, if that. I don't think it is worth all the possible side effects.
I feel such an almost overwhelming responsibility toward my sister as her DPOA, and every decision I make for her can be stressful somehow.
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.