The start is quite bright and there is some sunshine about, but the clouds in the sky tell me a different story. As does the official forecast: rain later. That puts paid to any trips we might have undertaken on the strength of weather conditions now. Shame.
Things are quiet on the hurricane front, except for Vietnam, which is bracing itself for category 1 typhoon Lekima, which is making landfall in 5 hours' time, 90 miles northwest of Hue. Typhoon Krosa is trundling northwest across the Western Pacific, but not expected to affect land in the next 5 days. Krosa will be a category 3 / 4 typhoon in 5 days time, and could have Shanghai in its crosshairs.
A man from Aberdeen has launched a campaign against 'covert medication', a practice in nursing homes where patients are given their tablets, hidden in food. Either crushed, or wrapped in food. He claims it's a breach of human rights, health workers say it is a way to administer medication to people with frail health, who may have swallowing difficulties, be confused or aggressive. Crushing tablets is accepted practice in that case, and it's not just for sedatives. Patients might otherwise go without their medicines. Anyone got any thoughts?
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That's a two edged sword. I know alot of older people refuse to take their needed meds,ie: heart condition pills,blood pressure etc. and they really need them.But at the same time a person should have the right to refuse.So,I think as long as two certified Dr.s &/or a family member if there be any,agrees to do it this way,and it was life threatening for the patient -then go ahead. But, if they just want to sedate the patient so they can go about their business without being bothered,then,NO.
ReplyDelete~C~
I know from my experience with my Grandmother...she got to where she didn't know who I was and was very mean and agressive and would not do anything that she didn't want to do...such as take her meds. So they did the same thing...crushed it in her food...she lasted a few more years...had they not done that I'm sure she would have died sooner. Who knows if that is a blessing or a curse when your loved one no longer knows who they are anymore....June:)
ReplyDeleteI believe it'd depend upon their mental ability, i.e., are they capable of determining yes or no for their medications, or are they beyond that? My father, for example, is still of lucid enough mind to make that call for himself. It could lead to abuse, of course, drug'em up overly so to keep them easier to care for, which would not be good.
ReplyDeleteHave to laugh, (and hence add), that I do "covert medicating" for my pets. Of course, they don't have the mental capacity to make a sound decision on taking their pills or not. It still typically is not successful. All the good treat food eaten, with the pill carefully spit out. lol
ReplyDeleteI am not into covert medication. It's too easy for rogue carehome owners or staff to chemically cosh their patienst so that they can get peace.
ReplyDeleteFor goodness sake there is enough neglect going on in some homes now without giving them license to do this to folks. How are these people going to be able to walk about and get their exercise? They will have them sleeping all day.
I can understand crushing up a pill and helping it go down in that way but not for the sake of quieting a patient down and making them easier to handle. Dear God!
What next? Euthanasia? I can just see it now. If you become a burden..'Off with your Head!' Or something along those lines.
No! Under no circumstances would I want that to happen to me or mine or anyone else for that matter. It could be us one day. And..... who will speak up for those who have no family?
No! No! No! Emphatically NO!
Now that got me 'het up' Guido.
Those...dear friend....are my thoughts.
Jeanie
I am in the middle of the road on this one. If the patient refuses to take the medication and its for something life threatening yes it should be crushed but in those cases next of kin should be notified. At one stage i would have said no to this practise but as i have grown older and had my eyes opened a little.
ReplyDeletelove and hugs.
Katie