WE are the caregivers for my MIL. She has CHF and COPD high BP and also a colestomy. She doesn't walk anymore and a few falls and broken both hips. After long stays in the hospital with COPDS or pneumonia excessive fluid. She just never rehabilitated back to walking. We pay sitters to sit daily so I can work. My husband and I care for her the rest and on weekends. Recently we were hospitalized for a blockage in her colon so she was in 4 days. She did great bounced right back and was great Sun (when discharged) this past week and then started a few weird things as the week progressed. She was sort of acting like she didn't hear or could not focus on what's going on when we would speak to her and ask if she heard or understood after a long pause she would answer yes. Very delayed, also unable to reach for her cup or food and having to be fed and given drink. Her vitals are fine no fever but just sort of out of things. I know something is wrong, but what? She was eating by herself and loved tv and slept a good bit but not all the time. She has not been confused before unless a uti or dehydration which the nurse said she doesn;'t have. She was sharp last week and sun when she got out of the hospital and now she is not wanting to eat or drink and the light has gone from her eyes. She says she just doesn't feel good. I have no idea if she is sick or is this her body's way of letting go. I cant stand not doing something for her. She was placed on hospice for the COPD and CHF but they are just like this might be the final stages. But how do you say that when last week she was perfectly fine talking and responding and no issues except the blockage.
That's appalling. Call them back and don't take no for an answer.
Stroke is very common in late stage heart failure. The reaching and the loss of fields of vision could be symptomatic, but I also totally agree with Ahmijoy that you need a professional opinion here.
If you're not happy with the explanations your hospice team are providing, keep asking questions. Are there other investigations you would like to see done? What was done for your MIL in the hospital? - could you go back to her surgical team and ask them to follow up, perhaps?
But I am still appalled that no one has been out to examine your mother. Providing reassurance and an explanation of what is happening day to day is very much part of hospice's job; and without seeing her they can't possibly know if she is receiving all the palliative care that might help to keep her comfortable. I hope you're able to get someone to respond helpfully without having to stamp and shout too much.
I will try to get someone the examine her today and we may have to take the advice and come off hospice.
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