Follow
Share

Hi everyone. I am writing this question in regards of my grandfather. I live with him and help take care of him part time. He has end stage COPD which has been well managed besides these past few months.


After his most recent hospital stay (about 1 week ago, went in on a Friday and discharged Sunday) he is stable in health but he’s not really there, mentally? He hasn’t been talking much, slow to respond and if he responds it’s quiet or not like him at all.


His most serious hospitalization was in the middle of Jan for pneumonia, and he went back after a week of discharge due to a medicine reaction. After all of that, he was fine, back to his spirit, completed physical rehab and was discharged from home nursing care. He was working out and in a really good mood besides loss of appetite.


He went back to the hospital about a month after discharge for allergies we did not know about and caused an exacerbation. He did not go on any new meds besides steroids and an allergy pill, generic brand.


I'm at a loss on this change. Simple questions are met with someone who seems clueless or when we tell him to do something, we have to repeat it. He can still dress himself, walk around, use the bathroom, etc. But the guy inside him is just gone? Sometimes he stares at nothing and it’s scary. This is all in less than a week.


Does anyone have any advice? He did not have hospital delirium in any of his stays and pneumonia is gone. Clear of a UTI as well. Will he come back from this? We are trying to be patient but it’s also really frustrating because sometimes we feel he is just not listening, at all ! Or he just isn’t there. :(


Thanks much in advance.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Grandpa has had several hospitalizations in a short period of time, and is now taking steroids which is very strong medication that can have serious side effects. He could've suffered a stroke which is causing this dementia type of behavior, or it could be hospital delirium after a bunch of stays, you just don't know w/o having him checked out medically. I suggest you do that to be certain of what's going on.

Good luck to you.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Take him to see his doctor . He may have had a stroke , or this could be medication related .
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I agree he could be allergic to the steroids, could be a stroke. Take him to his doctor.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
Vintagerose90 Mar 21, 2024
No stroke! He is clear. He had a doctor appointment tomorrow but was canceled today since the gp is out sick :(
(0)
Report
it could happen, just because (and then may improve) or their could be some medical issue. I agree- let the doctors know ASAP
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

It could be hospital delirium or the pneumonia. Pneumonia can cause these symptoms too.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter