End Of Life Care

[237SJ]

What do you do when you are looking after someone who is getting weaker by the day and you have had no support whatsoever - who do you call? I always imagined that there would be someone (health professionals, etc) who would take charge and advise but that hasn't happened.

[Zacs-Master]

What are they suffering from?

[Tilly2]

Should the person be in hospital?

[ummmm]

Social services.

[MargoTester]

I would contact my doctor and ask what help was available.

[Mamyalynne]

Contact her Gp and ask - MacMillan Nurses are excellent too.

[andres]

Doctor first. They should arrange for District nurses,Social Services, Macmillan nurses(if it is cancer)

[Buenchico]

For those seeking background information about 237SJ's post, please see here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1406310.html

Although they're not available until Monday, 237SJ, perhaps the people at the MacMillan Support Line might be able to help?
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/getting-support/talking-to-us/macmillan-support-line.html

[237SJ]

Ummmm I emailed social services yesterday but I'm not in the UK and it's the weekend so haven't heard back. My sister is with my mum but she is not eating, hardly drinking, and has all the symptoms that the cancer has gone to her brain (awaiting the results of ct scan). My sister sais she can't be left alone. We have never had any contact with Macmillan and neither has it been offered. Someone fro a hospice came out, prescribed steroids and then left. Haven't seen her since.

[pixie373]

MacMillan nurses are brilliant -and don't only deal with cancer. They'll support anyone on end of life care. The GP presumably is already involved if you've had that diagnosis. Is there a POA, DNAR form, anything written about his/her wishes?

[237SJ]

Thanks for putting the link up Buenchico.

[Tilly2]

As others have said, the GP needs to be contacted.

[pixie373]

Cross-posted. MacMillan or carers, if your sister needs a break and GP to check painkillers. Best wishes xx

[237SJ]

There is a Macmillan office at the cancer unit. I have never seen anyone there. The nearest we've got to macmillan is being offered a cup of tea by a volunteer. A local friend of mine had a similar experience when her husband was dying. Someone from Macmillan was supposes to visit, didn't turn up and that was the last they heard from them. I think they are overstretched in this area.

[pixie373]

Maybe carers then, to give support and a break. Is she comfortable?

[237SJ]

I think so pixie. When I went to work I thought she looked terrible. All the way to work I wondered if I was making the biggest mistake of my life because I might not see her again. I don't know what I would have done if my sister hadn't been coming over (she doesnt live locally).

[pixie373]

It is very tough on you and especially if you're not in the UK and she is. It is really only a case of making sure she is comfortable, which is down to her GP. The link I've found is the same as Buenchico's. I hope they can help you and your sister xx

[237SJ]

I don't think you can get support fro Macmillan directly -I think the GP has to do it. I took her to the GP a little while ago (to ask about taking her off bp tablets) The GP didn't even comment on her slurred speech. She just told us to buy some power shakes and put the hospice in touch (it was about 9 days bedore we heard from them and I had to chase them up) Our GP service has a terrible reputation and the doctors are always leaving. You have to phone them, go through a triage then the doctor will probably phone you the next day and decide whether you need an appointment.