With Robert in the SNF caregiving takes a different direction. It’s less physical work for me and more advocacy.
Is his diet correct? It should be modified soft (a soft, chopped meal) so it reduces the risk of aspiration. During his recent hospitalization an over-eager speech therapist changed him to a lower level diet because she assumed he was in for aspiration. (He wasn’t; turns out he had RSV). However, her recommendations followed Robert to the SNF and it took a few weeks to get him back to where he should be.
I also have to check if they are weaning him off oxygen yet (they’re not). My hope is he isn’t dependent on oxygen 24/7 forever but we’ll see. He had Covid and RSV within four months and his lungs took a huge beating. So right now he needs the oxygen. I always bring my own pulse/ox meter and thermometer to check his vitals (I know - I’m weird like that) so it does seem he still needs the oxygen.
Are they doing his breathing treatments? Turns out they haven’t been and he really needs them to help those lungs. He has a PRN order so I asked the nurse to give him one while we visited today. She asked if she could do it later but she had her medicine cart right outside Robert’s room so I knew now was the best time so it didn’t get forgotten.
Why is he so sleepy? He has a tendency to watch tv all night if the night nurse doesn’t turn it off (and remove his remote) so asked the nurse to pass along the reminder. You’d think my big note on the wall to turn off the tv with nighttime meds would be reminder enough but apparently not.
Don’t worry, my visits aren’t all about nagging the nurses and taking Robert’s vitals. I watch his game shows with him or help him with his lunch (when he’s not sleeping) and bring him a treat (chocolate shake of course!). Richard plays bingo with him or gives him a shave.
No matter where Robert is I am his caregiver and I’ll do my best to make sure he’s healthy and happy.
Негізгі бет Sleepy Robert
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