Expert: Paula Damgaard - 3/18/2005

Question
Hi Paula,
I am responsible for a relative who will be 90 in July.She has had ad for at least 13 years. She has been in long term care since Jan 1995. Currently she only lies in bed,sits in a wheelchair and mostly stares blankly. Not much speech for the last 10 years. Stopped walking about 2 years ago.Weight has steadily declined and is now 90lbs, but she is only about 4'9''.
How much longer can I anticipate this going on?
What is the longest you have seen someone who has become bedridden?
Thanks I am looking for some light at the end of this tunnel.

Answer
Hi Pam,  I am sorry you are going through this.  I knwo it isn't fun.  I have no idea how much longer she will live, I wish I could tell you.  I can tell you somethings which can help to bring it to a close sooner.  First of all ask what medication she is on.  I would bet that she is on a lot of drugs that she no longer needs.  Do you have her medical power of attorney?  If so then tell her doctor that you don't want her to be treated for anything anymore that you only want comfort measures to be used.  

Otherwise everytime you have the doctor see her, his/her goal is to "cure" her.  Pneumonia used to be the old peoples friend, but now that we have all these high powered antibiotics we are keeping people alive for a lot longer.  If you know that she would never wnat to be like this, tell the doctor to stop.

I hope this doesen't last very much longer.  Estimates of people with disease are that they can live 2-20 years from diagnosis.  Good luck.  Paula