My dad is currently in a nursing home in the alzheimers wing, he has no clue if he has pain or where it even is anymore and we would like his moraphine pump removed, and the trip to get his pump filled is 6 hours round trip and I feel his dignity is at stake also! What should we do?
Is he in Hospice? First, do you have a legal power of attorney for medicial care? Next, I would make an appointment with his primary doctor and then the pain management doctor and discuss what is best for his quality of life.
You may not think that he feels pain but he may not be able to communicate whether he is having pain or not. The main thing I would considered is why am I wanting to remove the pump. Is it for the convience of not traveling 6 hour for refills, or is it that you fear that the medication is causing more harm and good?
I do not have the pump but have many friends that do. They have the same problem with travel. We can't get any pain management without a 200 mile drive each way.
Remember that the important thing to keep in mind is HIS quality of life. Alzheimers is one of the worse diseases on a FAMILY. It effects not only those who have it but all of those who care and love their family member.
If you us the Quality of Care as the guiding force, the doctors should be able to advise you on the proper course and provide support. Remember you are a patient also. Alzheimers is a society disease. It hurts everyone it contacts.
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