AboutMargot RN BScN GNC Expertise GERONTOLOGY (NURSING ISSUES RELATED TO THE ELDERY) I have 15+ years experience working with the elderly. I would be pleased to offer any assistance I can. My areas of expertise include: Gerontology / Geriatrics, Long Term Care, Community Nursing, Palliative Care, Private Nursing Services, Intermediate / Extended Care. I also have a personal interest in Homeopathic and Eastern Medicine. If I can not answer your question I`ll do my best to direct you to an appropriate resource. Thank you.
Experience I have fifteen years experience in Gerontological Nursing both in the community, and in Long Term Care. I have worked as a General Duty Nurse, a Nurse Manager, and a Nursing Consultant in Long Term Care and Community Nursing.I have a great deal of experience working with, assessing, and educating in the field of Gerontology (Nursing the Elderly). I am familiar with the challenges associated with Dementia (Alzheimer's), Chronic and Terminal illnesses, and the stresses of residential homes Experience in the area 20 years of Long Term Care and Community Nursing, specialising in Geriatrics, Gerontology and PalliativeCare.
Education/Credentials Registered Nurse , Certified Gerontological Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Question I AM VERY CLOSE TO MY GRANNY WHO IS 87 YEARS OLD AND WAS BEFORE CHRISTMAS DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER. SHE ALSO SUFFERS FROM ALZHEIMERS THEREFORE IS UNAWARE OF HER DIAGNOSIS. SHE WAS FINE UNTIL AUGUST WHEN SHE BECAME VERY ILL AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. FOLLOWING AN X-RAY IT WAS UNDERSTOOD THAT IT WAS DUE TO HER LOWER BACK CRUMBLING DUE TO HER OSTEOPOROSIS.SHE IS NOW ON MORPHINE TO RELIEVE THE PAIN WHICH HAS MADE HER VERY SLEEPY. SHE WAS ALWAYS SO PROUD AND POSITIVE, NEVER PUTTING A NAME TO ANY ILLNESS. NOW SHE'S VERY SLEEPY, FRAIL AND NOT EATING VERY MUCH. MY MOTHER SPENDS ALOT OF TIME WITH HER AND I KNOW SHE IS AT PEACE BUT I FEEL LIKE SHE IS SLIPPING AWAY AS SHE TALKS ABOUT GETTING CLOSER TO HER FRIENDS WHO DIED YEARS AGO. I KNOW EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT BUT I WAS WONDERING HOW LONG SOMEONE LIKE THIS WOULD SURVIVE WITH MINIMAL FOOD AND DRINK? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANY HELP.
Answer Hi Chantel,
I am sorry to read about your Granny’s deteriorating health, but it sounds like she lived a full life and really wouldn’t have much quality of life if she did survive another few years.
She is being treated the way I would treat anyone I care about – kept comfortable, and if that means sedated to the point she’s too drowsy so be it, it’s better than the alternative, to wake up to unbearable pain.
As sad as it seems, it is time to let her pass away in peace and with dignity and remember the good times.
