My husband is stage 7 and has been under hospice care since November. He is intermittently refusing to eat, drink or take meds. He doesn't speak, is totally incontinent, and goes from the bed to the geri chair with virtually no interaction with anyone. I have watched the Nursing home nurse literally shove the meds into his mouth making him gag.
My question is, has anyone here discontinued seizure meds during this stage? Would it be cruel to do so?
By the stage you are describing, many caregiving spouses make the decision to discontinue all but comfort care medications. Since he is under Hospice Care, and their goal is comfort care, I would suggest you discuss the removal of seizure meds with them.
I have no direct experience with Hospice, but from what I have heard from friends, it seems they should be more involved, so that a nursing home nurse is not shoving meds. down his throat.
absolutely, I agree with Joang, If I saw a nurse shove medications into my husbands mouth they would have me to fight. I am amazed that Hospice would even allow this. Oh my heart breaks for you and your dear husband. Do not let them do this to him.
I also agree, I am appalled to think that a nurse would shove medications into anyone's mouth, let alone someone with dementia. I give my husband seizure medication crushed, however, if he could no longer swallow, he would not be taking any medication.