Reply to When to say something? When to stay quiet?

Forum Index » Eldercare

Reply to "When to say something? When to stay quiet?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]MIL moved in with us last summer after living alone through Covid and a pretty secluded life.  She had been in the high altitude and suffering from lung issues that we thought could be helped somewhat by a lower elevation and better access to medical care.  She at one point was diagnosed with emphysema but then told us that a doctor here told her all elderly individuals get some form of emphysema and she really just has COPD.  She has always attended doctors appointments by herself and while open about what her doctors say, seems to be missing information.  I think not because she does not want to tell us, but because she doesn't think to ask. She does not have  money and has the high deductible plan with Medicaid and no supplemental insurance, so I worry about the quality of care she receives and which doctors she choose.

Since she moved in 7 months ago, she has been frequently sick.  I would say at least a dozen separate illnesses, where she is sick and then feels better.  We do have two young children and I assumed she has no immune system from illness from being secluded.  Most recently she has a had a really bad cough for over two weeks.  She went to a doctors appointment where they told her she probably had a cold that turned into something bacterial and gave her a Z-pack and inhaler.  She missed her regularly scheduled pulmonologist appointment because she was not feeling well.  She currently can't do much without sitting down to catch her breath and can walk for about 5 minutes before sitting down like she is seriously exerted.

Her cough is getting better but I want to ask her if she thinks it could be the COPD or emphysema, or maybe something else going on that has weaken her immune system.  Is this just normal for people in their late 70s?  I have a lot of older aunts and uncles, but they have all luckily stayed in pretty good health.  Part of me feels like my husband should try to attend doctor appt to get more information while a larger part just says to wait until she asks.   I just feel bad thinking she could have a better quality of life if she had access to better health care and a better ability to advocate for her needs. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics