Family caregivers are also opioid naive in many ways, not just taking it. I am struggling with the decision to give my mom with later stage dementia the short acting morphine, preconceived idea it’s for “the final” hours only and can’t wrap my head around that maybe it would help some back pain I thinks she’s having (because she can’t verbalize her pain exactly) as she is so stiff and has lost weight that the spine bones stick out somewhat.
You are having a very healthy respect for the medication and in our culture today, opiods have many negative comments out there but for someone who has pain or shortness of breath - acute or chronic - they are the path to relief which allows life attention to be on the joy of living and connection. Even a tiny dose can offer improvement and is NOT dangerous. Try a dose and sit with you mom for 30 minutes. I always tell my families and patients... the worst thing that can happen is that they feel good enough to forget about the pain - or even just take a painfree nap. Please ask you team. Patients who can't speak or identify pain are common - trust your gut. Yopu know your mom - if she looks uncomfortable - moans, groans, grimaces etc - believe it! Please get out booklet! Thanks for watching and keep us in your focus. Brenda and I have over 50 years of actual bedside hospice care and are still working full time! We have lots of tips up our sleeves. Please consider going to our website to thank us for the FREE videos at www.thehospicecareplan.com/shop and pick up our $5 booklet which will review how to manage ALL of the major symptoms that may arise. Care is treatment! Thanks again, Nancy
