Prayers for Death Several years before all of this happened, I was on a trip with a good friend, Lori. Her mother was suffering from Parkinson’s disease. During our vacation her brother called several times, …
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The Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away
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End of Life Decisions
Ethics Class Six years earlier, the topic in my ethics graduate class was end of life. Our professor showed three different movie clips, and we discussed the various scenarios:
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Did You Brush Your Teeth Today?
One part of caring for my Dad was easier when he was in the nursing home. They would sedate him when he was due to have his teeth cleaned.
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And Here’s Lewy
Medical Team A medical care team from one of the local hospitals was assigned to Dad. The doctor came monthly, and the nurse practitioner came more frequently. Monthly care conferences were held with the …
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Fourteen Months
I work downtown Minneapolis, and often pass “The Lumber Exchange” building. My dad often took me there when I was young to buy building products – it truly was “the lumber exchange”. Now it houses …
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Being Sucked into a Black Hole
Depression I was also going downhill. I describe depression as “being sucked into a black hole.” Stupid Cancer. I was still grieving my mother’s death. Stupid Dementia. Watching someone suffer with dementia is similar to …
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Hallucination?
He Has to Move Dad was just getting settled in the first care home, when they let us know he would have to move. He was going downhill mentally, could not talk much anymore, but …
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House of Tears
Another Hospitalization After keeping Dad overnight in the hospital, they sent him home the next day with more medications, and instructions for the assisted living staff. Within two days I received a call at work …
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To Medicate or Not to Medicate the Elderly
Agitation and Confusion I previously talked about anti-psychotic medications used in the elderly, and how they may increase confusion in dementia patients. I told you about the first night in the hospital when he was …
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Sadness Outside, Music Inside
Moving into the Nursing Home Here is a word of advice — try NOT to move a loved one into a nursing home on a Friday evening. First, it’s the weekend staff, not the regular …
