I’ve read a Tweet that affects me deeply, and so I must give some important advice. In 2014, my mother fell and broke her hip. She made it clear to my brother and me that she did NOT want a DNR. My older brother got power of attorney, and she went into hospital. She was there for
Eight months. During that time they pressured us constantly to sign a DNR - they threatened, lied, and cajoled. All to no effect: two times over the course of her stay she was revived; the day before she died we had a very lovely time, and she and I sang our last duet together.
The next day her heart stopped, they could not revive her, and so she left us - God’s time and hers. So I want to share what I consider essential advice if an elderly loved one of yours is going in for an extended stay. A) get medical power of attorney; if you don’t, the docs
Will take it. B) A family member needs to show up every day if possible - not only to comfort the patient, but remind the staff that they are under outside surveillance. C) Bring cans and flowers to the nurses - carrot and stick is no good without the carrot, and kindness to them
Will make them your allies. D) Palliative care means sustaining the patient without physical therapy - and if there is ANY chance to regain some mobility, push for therapy. E) Do not put the patient into Hospice unless they are REALLY dying; otherwise you can’t send the patient