I'm worried. My mom usually gets pretty bad UTIs, so bad that she needs to be hospitalized. I've tried my best to keep her from having one for months, but I think she has one and she has developed her usual confusion that she gets when it's bad.
I'm just so worried about sending her to the hospital during Covid. Like my anxiety is through the roof. I don't want her to catch it there. Has anyone had to send their loved one to the ER? What was it like? Did they catch Corona?
I've been running through options in my head. Her nurse is on her way here, so I'll ask her and her doctor before I send her to the ER, but... I've been through this SO MANY TIMES, that I think it's the only option.
Many extra safety precautions were in place for cleanliness.
No COVID so far.
However I did get a call for SNF last week that 2 employeesthat had contact with her, had contracted the virus. I guess I won't know what her outcome will be for about 2 more weeks.
I was able to go to pre-op with her for all 3 surgeries. The first, neck surgery, on March #0, There were only 2 to 3 max family max in waiting room.
2nd surgery June 8, spinal surgery, maybe 25 in waiting room. She was admitted overnight.
3rd surgery, June 16, spinal surgery to remove a blood clot from surgical site, I was alone although this surgery was after 5 p.m.
Masks were required to enter hospital, only one visitor per patient.
No visitors at rehab SNF.
my mother and she passed away but not due to COVID. My stepfather went the exact same route 4 years ago, that’s just how dementia can work.
may be different in a rural area but the hospital systems here( NE Ohio) have pretty rigid requirements to keep Covid out of some hospitals just for things like this . That’s why family can’t visit etc and they won’t take patients with Covid symptoms or allow family even in the building if they are at risk to having it . I had to wear a mask( I do anyway) and get a temperature check and answer a long list of questions just to get into the rehab facility to sign her paperwork.
she is 83, with dementia, severe hearing loss. Since she had shingles in her only hearing ear. No hearing aides were able to be placed in ears. So we couldn’t communication with mom by phone to well. She had low sodium and that is why I finally had to put in hospital. The first 4 days ready to go to Rehab side of hospital after a week there she did get a UTI and infection was then in urine and blood stream. This took about 9 days to clear up. Then rehab again. Brought her home on Friday, first day we had seen her.
Your parents health is important and unfortunately, if you wish her to survive you might find her needing to go. I wished they had a second alternative. As of the next day the hospital nursing staff just went on strike. Glad to have her home with home health services. She is still as however just as weak as when I had her go to hospital.
J
As far as UTI's go...it would make life easier if doctors would just prescribe an antibiotic if you called. My mom was sent to ER several times when she was bedridden before hospice came on board because her hands off DO doctor wanted to send her to a urologist....she was beginning delirium from the UTI...now how was I supposed to pull off getting her to a urologist a few days later? ER was the only choice.
(I don't like to get up early, but I do now just to avoid all the people who are noncompliant and won't wear face masks.)
When her nurse arrives, she may be able to take a sample and deliver it to the doctor's lab; that way you can avoid going out. She could also get a script if Mom does have a UTI. (I've only had one and don't recall what antibiotic I might have been given).
Also, do you have cranberry juice? If not, get some and keep it on hand.
I didn't know for 3 days that he had pneumonia. He had spent 2 of those days in a covid ward before diagnosing him. Dad also suffers from some form of dementia due to a traumatic brain injury from a fall 3 years ago. He's 90. I am his primary caregiver.
He was moved from covid ward but was still isolated due to covid conventions for distancing, and in a room by himself. No visitors.
On this ward I found out he was admitted for delirium. He was still very confused, no wonder. His mental health wasn't reported to me except he was a compliant patient. I had no idea what meds he was on except clavulin for the pneumonia.
Trying to reach family doctor wasn't easy either. I had to assume that all was well with him, that he was improving just as they were telling me.
And yes, he did improve and he came home. Because of his dementia he doesn't recognize one day from another, so he didn't know how long we had suffered without him.
Once family doctor got involved I was part of a team making decisions and it was quick how all the facilities were arranged for him to come home.
I was so glad to have him come home.
Overall recommendation to hospital was to include all team members especially family.
If I had to do it again I'd wait and call the G.P.
If her doctor is aware of the frequent UTI can you contact the doctor and possibly get a prescription so you can care for this at home?
But do take the advice of her doctor.
Perhaps they could test her as an outpatient? I’m not sure from your post if she lives in a private residence or is in a facility. I recently needed blood work for my aunt and asked her doctor to order HH so they could draw blood and other issues. She has had UTI tests through HH as well. So perhaps that is an option for your mom?
I have been in the ER and hospitalized twice during Covid. I felt very safe and all precautions were taken. Everyone including me wore masks. My husband was not allowed to go with me but I preferred that as I didn’t want him exposed to anything.
I was tested for Covid (negative) and your mom probably will be as well.
I think the main thing is find a way to get her the medical care she needs. It sounds like you have had plenty of experience with UTIs so you know they can be fatal.