Caring for Mom who was just released from hospital. Was mobile, verbal and mostly self-sufficient before hospital stay (several weeks ago). Took her to ER with belly pain. Ended up having emergency surgery during which a malignant mass was found. Stage 3 colon cancer. Mom doesn't know. She's 87 and we're not telling her due to her current mental status. Dr thinks he got it all and sees no signs of metastases.
Post surgery she is non-verbal (tries to speak but barely anything intelligible comes out), grossly incontinent, on a G tube and only moves her head and arms. She had 2 small bleeds either during or immediately post surgery and they didn't know it until I saw her 18hrs after surgery & told them that something was drastically wrong.
Rehab is not an option due to covid restrictions (severely limited visitation, no PT, etc.). Mom can't communicate & would think that she'd been abandoned. We brought her home. The hospital did nothing to prepare us (my brother also lives with us) for this other than getting the VNA involved. We had no idea of what her true physical condition was, what supplies we would need, that we would get no sleep, etc.
Mom's been home for 2 days. She has angry diaper rash, I suspect also candida, and 2 bed sores at the base of her spine. The hospital told us nothing about this and Mom's in a great deal of pain from it.
The diapers they supplied are horrid. I'm going to buy some pads for increased wicking but I've been searching for hours and find myself unable to judge what diaper to buy. I change her frequently so my main concern is comfort. Mom was not deemed 'hospice' but I don't think that she's going to improve or last long. I desperately want her to be comfortable during this time. Any pointers will be hugely appreciated. (sorry for the long ramble)
I tried several types for my Husband and there were always times when he leaked (flooded is more like it)! What helps the most is a good under pad. I found a great one on the Costco website the brand is "Conni" think it is an Australian company. Each pad absorbs over 80 fluid ounces. (washable and good size)
there are companies that have all sorts of brands that they ship to your home (I am sure someone will provide names) but call and ask for samples before you buy cases of them.
If you find you like Depends Costco several times a year will put them on "coupon" and cut the price by about $8.00.
By the way the incontinent supplies I got from Hospice were at no charge so if I changed them a bit more often it was no big deal. I would change him every 2 hours. If he was not wet just re positioning him would often get the bladder to empty within the next 15 minutes or so.
By the way with the bed sores she should have a wound nurse assigned. Hospice is great with wounds and will send a nurse that is trained in the care of wounds.
They were a bit more work for us but a whole lot more comfortable for her.
We used washable covered with high absorbency disposal ones. Two people could just pull them up underneath her and she didn't have to be handled at all.
Hospice means that you have a terminal illness but you can get better and go off hospice. Please do some research about what it looks like and then encourage the POA to read up on how it could benefit your mom and her quality of life. They provide meds that some believe kill their loved ones, but you DO NOT have to give them the medication. You are in complete and total control. They are there to provide comfort care and support for everyone. I really recommend checking it out.
When you roll her roll her using the draw sheet and gather and grab the sheet at her shoulder and hip and gently pull using the sheet. It will apply even pressure along her back and eliminate any pressure from holding her at the shoulder and or hip.
She can still go on Hospice, if she improves then she will "graduate" from Hospice. But while she is on you can get a lot of help, support, equipment and supplies. If after a while the POA decides that we wants to withdraw her from Hospice he can at any time.