My cousin who just lost her mother wants to come and visit mom on a regular basis. It would be great since my mom misses her sister, but I just found out my cousin has MRSA. Mom is frail, 78 pounds and soon will turn 91.
How do I politely tell my cousin no and not cause a family rift? I know my cousin would not want to do anything to put my mom in health problems. Help!
I would rather take more safety measures as JoAnn29 said as I am responsible for mom.
I cannot tell each one of you how much it has meant to be able to get each one’s opinions. It really made my decision easier. Thank you all.
We all have germs. People with germs interact with your mom all the time. I wouldn't deny your mom the pleasure of a visit. She can share her grief with your cousin and also provide comfort to your cousin. I would try to allow her to have that experience.
Now depending on who does the dressing, and if you're cousin is the one who does it, she would need to take those precautions when she does the dressing, and good hand washing technique after removing the gloves. If this is how it occurs, then there would be no issue in providing meals to your mom, giving you a break and needed time for visits for her and your mom, in the loss of the sister/mom.
Someone else said and was exactly right on the money that the media displays scare tactics in everything including MRSA.
There is more false, misleading, uninformed information in this thread about MRSA then there should be. You really do not want to end up being so paranoid about illnesses/infections and make sure you get the correct information from a medical person. I am a Registered Nurse.
I visited a dying friend that had MRSA, her own family would stand at the door all of 60 seconds to say hi, I suited up, then I was free to hold her hand, kiss her forehead and rub her arms and legs, I never once worried about moving it from the room, I disrobed at the door and washed my hands well.
I fear that we miss life by trying to have quantity and not enough quality. MRSA exists in our world, nurses, doctors, delivery people, et al can expose us, a little prevention is all that is required. (If I remember correctly, it is something that is everywhere and most of us are healthy enough that is doesn't effect us.) Think about your cousin going about her normal daily routine and all of the places she goes and people she comes in contact with, and she is just 1 person. I am not directing any criticism towards anyone, we as a nation have been scared to death by the media portrayal of communicable diseases and quite frankly, research shows they are fear mongers. Yes. Caution should be used but not complete avoidance.
Have cousin limit physical contact and suit up with gloves and mask at front door, explain to all that she has a condition that is better not shared with mom. Also, wash moms hands after cousin leaves, she should be fine and think of how good it will do her heart to be loved by your cousin.
You can order the same gowns, gloves and masks that hospital uses on line or hospice might be willing to give you a box of each. I also covered my hair so I could visit others in hospital without worrying I would harm them.
Hugs for taking care of mom, inside and out.
The 1st time I visited my friend all suited up, she asked why and I told her that I thought I had a cold coming on and I didn't want her to catch it. She was good after that, even though it was 3 months before she passed, never came up again.
Get yourself educated and you will feel so much better.
I'm just trying to figure out why cousin would even consider going to a long term care facility with that kind of infection. It's really odd to me. I would think that an average person would find that completely unacceptable. I know someone who's husband had it once and he was not allowed to return to his job until it was cleared up with a doctor's note. If I discovered that visitors were coming in with that and my LO was there, I'd be livid, to say the least.
If you have to, explain that the doctor says no visitors who have infections, then, I wouldn't concern myself with her or any other family member's opinion, because, they obviously lack common sense.
My cousin wants to visit my mom since mom is an interesting Aunt. I don’t feel comfortable with doctors answer. I like your answer though.