Help with caring please

[LaughingHeart]

I am a' carer' to a member of our family who is 82 and suffers from emphysema and prostrate cancer. He is getting very weak as he refuses food [sick when eats] We try to make him drink [he is becoming dehydrated] We have constantly pestered our GP and He was recently taken into hospital, but discharged as being 'well enough for an old man with his type of illness'.  He had an injection last night to quell sickness [ again called out GP]. Today He is refusing food through fear of being sick..... GP coming again today! Any ideas? We are getting most worried. Any help would be good please.
Paol.

[Angelinthemorning]

Is there any way you could at least get an IV started for at home.  That way when he is refusing food and liquids you can at least keep him hydrated?  Just a thought to bring up with your GP.  Also check out different naseau medicines.  They have some that dissolve and some that soak into the skin.

[LaughingHeart]

Thanks for your input. Have got Him drinking, but still not eating. Seems He is losing will to live. GP visited yesterday and said that we are doing it right, but can't force Him to eat. Got Him to take a little 'Complan' today and a 'Fortisip' yesterday. He is taking an anti sickness, no problem with pills, He will take with a little water. Last nights meal was not touched....[ His favourite ]. Short of getting food in with a sink plunger, it seems there is not a lot more we can do! Big shame, He is a lovely bloke! Sleeping now...does that a lot. I know we are going to loose Him soon, just wish I could do more! He is very weak. The Emphysema is due to smoking a lot earlier in his life and is now very serious and His Prostrate Cancer is the final straw! A recent chest infection has not helped.
I am coping a little better having come to terms that I will lose Him soon and that I am doing all I can to keep Him 'comfortable. Jack is my wife's stepfather and very much-ed 'loved' by all who know Him. I am a half-blood Native American and as such, will call upon all the powers of the spirits to make His road an easy one to tread. A 'prayer' from all who read this would be kind! Thank you, may the great spirit guide you!
Paol [LaughingHeart]

[Suzanne78]

I can feel your anguish reading your description of the dear man.  I hope you fine comfort in the fact that you seem to be doing all that you can to ease his burdens on the troubled road he is traveling.  I will pray for you, your family and Jack.

Suzanne

[APACHI]

I know what you are going through, both my parents having terminal illnesses.  I cared for my Dad and he went through the choking aspect of it, so we did the mincing of his food, it helped somewhat.He's been gone since 2003. My Mom is in a nursing home now and she is on puree food. If you can look for a Medical Home supply store that carries swabs that you wet or they are pre-glistened swabing his mouth with these or get popsicles from the store, wet it first or the popsicle will stick to a dry mouth. By doing this they will swallow the taste from it. Do this on the tongue
As for feeding him try baby food, one teaspoon at a time or broth (no salt) and use a syringe and squirt it in his mouth,but do it on the side of the mouth, not directly into it and make sure he is sitting up when doing this. Hope this works, God Bless.

[Judith996]

I cana bsolutely understand how challenging it can be to take care of seriously ill elderly parents, especially if your job is hectic. Ihave a job that requires me to travel a lot. My mother recently underwent surgery for breast cancer and is now on chemo. She needs regular care but I am hardly able to do all that is required. Sometime back I found out about a group that arranges for regular home visits by doctors for elderly..
http://www.healthcaremagic.com/takecareofyourparents...so far my mom is satisfied with their service and i am also somewhat at peace. We need more such services though..and much more needs to be done.