Older adults and hospitals

This week is hospital-hopping week. Over the past several years, Mom has started to have “a specialist doctor for each organ,” gradually adding them one by one—brain, heart, ears, breast, lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, bones and joints—so she has to go in and out of the hospital regularly.

The important thing is that we need to know what medications each doctor has prescribed and inform the other doctors to prevent duplicate medications. Also, some drugs may increase or decrease the effectiveness of other drugs. This is especially true for blood-thinning medications: if surgery, a gastrointestinal endoscopy, or dental work is needed, the doctor often has to order stopping this group of drugs beforehand. Medications are something that requires special attention.

But there may be some elderly people who dislike or are not willing to go to the hospital at all. The approach depends on what is appropriate for each family, but one method that has been used is that we should not oppose or force them, because that will only make them dislike the hospital even more.

– Try talking in a way that shows understanding. Ask why they don’t want to go, and see whether it’s a reason we can address or compromise on.
– Keep asking regularly about their symptoms—whether they are getting worse or not.
– Look up information that can help you take care of yourself to relieve symptoms, such as doing regular stretching and taking care with your diet, etc.
– Always end by saying: If there’s any day you want to go to the hospital, you can tell me anytime.

This approach will make you feel that you can make decisions for yourself and are not being forced.

Cheering on all dutiful children.

Piti #dutiful-lotion #for-dry-itchy-skin