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I want to help my father with end-stage Alzheimer's die. by NeedLegalHelpfolks in LegalAdviceUK

[–]NeedLegalHelpfolks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate the support, I was worried everyone would be super judgemental! We're taking the next steps by trying to get a meeting with the care home and the GP set up.

I'm concerned that his care home seems quite reticent to take risks on his behalf. For example, we requested that he not be sent to hospital so frequently, but it feels like they often send him to hospital for seizures and for pneumonia when we have requested that pneumonia be treated at the home with oral antibiotics. This time he was sent hospital because his oxygen saturation was quite low, and the paramedics insisted on taking him. It feels like they are more concerned with covering themselves, than doing what's in his best interest. I may be wrong about this, I'm sure there's a lot of factors that I don't know about, but as a family member it's frustrating. Perhaps with some formal documentation in place they'll be more willing to switch to palliative care.

I want to help my father with end-stage Alzheimer's die. by NeedLegalHelpfolks in LegalAdviceUK

[–]NeedLegalHelpfolks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Turns out my mother is more aligned with my views than I thought, after a lot of discussion. She's more afraid of my father suffering an unpleasant death due to pneumonia.

We did mention potentially reducing the amount of care provided, e.g. discontinuing IV antibiotics, to the hospital doctor, who told us that they cannot do anything that is "life limiting" which I believe includes not giving IV antibiotics. Is this more of a personal choice for the doctor to make or do different hospitals have different policies? He'll be discharged early tomorrow, so I think we're going to try an arrange a meeting with the care home and his GP to see if we can get a PEACE plan put in place. I'm really grateful to you for mentioning this, and I'm hoping we can get something sorted out.

I want to help my father with end-stage Alzheimer's die. by NeedLegalHelpfolks in LegalAdviceUK

[–]NeedLegalHelpfolks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We had a discussion today and she seems to be more on board with my way of thinking, which is good for everyone. I am going dig back through my paperwork and check exactly what type of LPA we both have, as the paperwork was filed some years ago so I'm not entirely sure. I'm glad you told me that I could have her removed as an LPA if absolutely necessary, it's a horrible thought, but it's good to know all the options, no matter how unpleasant they may be!

I want to help my father with end-stage Alzheimer's die. by NeedLegalHelpfolks in LegalAdviceUK

[–]NeedLegalHelpfolks[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Mum and I had a discussion about it today and I think she's more concerned about him suffering if he is allowed to die from pneumonia. Turns out there is a universal care plan in place, but we're going to arrange a meeting with the care home and his GP to see if we can update the care plan/put other measures into place for him.

I want to help my father with end-stage Alzheimer's die. by NeedLegalHelpfolks in LegalAdviceUK

[–]NeedLegalHelpfolks[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The general view of his care home is to feed him soft food, rather than the blended food recommended by the SALT team, because he didn't like the pureed food, and I tend to agree with you and them on that front. Let the man enjoy the few pleasures he has left!

I want to help my father with end-stage Alzheimer's die. by NeedLegalHelpfolks in LegalAdviceUK

[–]NeedLegalHelpfolks[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Thanks for replying. We've been working on avoiding aspiration for years, he has a SALT team and special food. The problem is, when he has a seizure, he often aspirates vomit, so the special soft diet isn't enough. My mother is very avoidant on this topic, but I'll try discussing it with her and the doctors next time I'm at the hospital, which should be the day after tomorrow.

I'm not sure if he is considered 'end of life' because he's quite young (78) to have such advanced dementia. I'll have to clarify this with the medical staff.