Reply to Advice needed - 91 year old dad is suddenly exhausted and has no appetite

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I’d get him into the doc right away, as much as he doesn’t like it. The elderly can manifest things from as simple as a UTI, to as complex as a stroke, very differently than younger adults do.

His appetite and weakness may be related if he is dehydrated, as the elderly can become very dehydrated in a short amount of time.

Tbh, with a history of stoke, I’d be inclined to get him in sooner rather than later. [/quote]

Thank you. Actually he just woke up and my mom took his temp and he does have a low grade fever....

His gp office is open (they have a PA) so I’m going to take him there I think. It’ll be difficult bc he’s so tired and I’m wondering if I should call an ambulance instead? I don’t want to waste resources, but maybe this merits an ambulance?[/quote]

A PA is not at all qualified to diagnose your dad and odds are he/she will call an ambulance for your dad. 
Has he been checked for prostate cancer? At his age and with those symptoms it’s a possibility. [/quote]

A PA cam most certainly check for the usual suspects. UTI is exceedingly common in the elderly, as are low level respiratory infections that cause issues. They can check for hydration status. They can also do a very basic neurological and cardiac exam. They can do a quick review of any medications and determine if they may be the cause.  Based on their findings, yes, a transfer to hospital may be needed, but it’s also important that the father feel comfortable, and avoiding sitting for hours in the ER is probably not going to do that. [/quote]

A PA is not qualified or experienced to diagnose something like cancer which this man might have.[b] Also, simple infections can cause a quick death in the elderly.[/b] I absolutely would not consult a PA for an elderly person - it could delay a diagnosis and a quick death could result. 
A PA is good for acne or a sinus infection- not elder care.

Two PA’s misdiagnosed by teen DD’s pneumonia and gave her the wrong antibiotic and she ended up hospitalized. An elderly person would just pass away in that case.[/quote]

If the person is ready, this can be a GOOD thing.  The wishes of the individual need to be considered.  At a certain point, not everything needs to be treated and the decision should be up to the elder.  Of course, seek care if they want it but I strongly disagree with the PPs who've said OP should ignore her father's wishes and force him to go do a dr/hospital when he's said he doesn't want to.[/quote]

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