You are so very right, Carol, when you say we need to be advocates for those we love who are unable to tell us what is wrong. Unfortunately, though, not everyone has the type of personality which allows them to be aggressive when it is necessary to do so. However, even those of us with "mellow" personalities can become assertive if we try--most especially when it comes to getting the help we need for our loved ones who are unable to ask for it themselves.
I laud your ability to tell a story, to teach a lesson, to get across your point. Keep up the good work!!!
Hi Leah,
Thanks for your kind words. The thing about me as I'm as meek and mild as they come - for myself. But for vulnerable people (I've had lots of practice since I have a son with multiple health issues plus seven elders - all very vulnerable people), I can be a tiger. A respectful, but stubborn tiger : )
Blessings my friend,
Carol
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Carol, I agree with you that the family should alert the medical professionals about the pain. When my FIL had pain, he exaggerated it but it was real discomfort and pain. One time he really yelled about it. When he had pain in the hospital with the catheter, the nurse said it is just 20 seconds to insert the tubing. Well it is still pain! In the doctor's office, they use the gel and made it less pain. Now he does not need the catheter. When he had bladder pain, he exaggerated too but the doctor said just take the med. and it will go away but they could not stop the pain at that time and he kept calling for tylentol so we gave him some pain killer after we went home (the office ran out of pain killers.) But it is hard. Sometimes the nurses don't understand that given dementia, the pain is worse for these elders. Anyway, thanks for the post. I think the pain issue is the same for all people, and we just have make voice about our pain, sadly to say.
Take care,
Nina
Exactly, Nina. Just because someone has dementia doesn't mean they don't feel pain, and it's often worse as they don't understand the source of the pain and that it is often temporary. That's part of what makes it so difficult.
Carol