Been in the ER for my grandma all day today

My sister found her passed out in her chair this morning and she was disoriented when waking up. We managed to convince her to go to the hospital after she confessed that she hasn't been eating or drinking or sleeping for the past few days because she's incredibly depressed (this is around the time of year my grandpa died about 22 years ago)

They're going to admit her for at least one night and did a scan to check if she's had a stroke. She was in afib when admitted, hasn't been taking her medication for that, and tested positive for pneumonia.

She's going to be very dehydrated.

We sometimes forget that older people can suffer from depression, as they don't always want to talk about it.

Best wishes to her. Look after yourself too, TC.

Glad she's getting help right now. Stay strong.

She's also so much thinner than I thought she was, because she wears baggy clothes and usually dresses in layers. There's almost nothing to her.

that doesn't really sound too stroke like if she was telling the truth about not eating/drinking/sleeping, so hopefully with some meds and food and sleep she'll be fine.

young people can go a couple days without eating and hydrating and sleeping properly, but for elderly people it's much more dangerous.

I hope all is well. Anyone can get depressed.

Just got back home, they're keeping her for at least two to three days. She's much more alert now.

I hope she pulls through and has a strong healthy recovery. I was brought to the ER on Monday AM because my blood sugar dropped down to 27. I have been admitted and have been in the hospital since then. It's not fun. Again hope she recovers strong and goes home in good health.

Hope she is ok

Honestly I think sometimes older people just give up. I watched my great grandma and aunt do this, just stop doing everything and waste away. The downhill part began shortly after going in nursing homes.

Hopefully with lots of support she'll find some enjoyment in this stage of life.

Was she living alone? It sounds like she needs a caregiver.

LuigiChalmersJr posted...

Was she living alone? It sounds like she needs a caregiver.

My sister lives with her and genuinely does her best to take care of her, but my grandma is also sneaky and a liar. None of us were aware of how thin she was getting because she's ALWAYS wearing really heavy clothing that hides her build. I'm not putting any blame for this at my sister's feet because she doesn't deserve it.

TMOG posted...

My sister lives with her and genuinely does her best to take care of her, but my grandma is also sneaky and a liar. None of us were aware of how thin she was getting because she's ALWAYS wearing really heavy clothing that hides her build. I'm not putting any blame for this at my sister's feet because she doesn't deserve it.

Oh, I wasn't trying to place blame on anyone. I was just wondering about her situation.

Came up here to visit her today. She was doing pretty good and eating, and then had a stroke in front of us. The doctors are with her now and sent us to the waiting room, I had to take a walk to the cafeteria to grab a drink/cookies and let myself break down a bit.

I hope she pulls through and makes a full recovery.

Thats got to be really tough. I hope everything goes well. Strokes are serious. On the plus side the most important thing with anyone having a stroke is to get them to a hospital and on blood-thinners ASAP. Since she was already at the hospital that at least means she got immediate attention, which is a good thing (all things considered for the situation).

I had a grandfather and step-grandfather who both had strokes. Both survived, though had some mobility effects afterwards. Ultimately they both passed, but not for many years (and a few additional strokes) afterwards. It definitely affected their quality of life, but not significantly until later on.

Grandfather had to use a walker, but it wasnt until after stroke #2 that he was wheelchair bound. Passed of old age.

Step-grandfather bounced back pretty well from the first one, wheelchair bound and had trouble talking after the second (which was a massive one). Passed of old age as well.

Obviously not the greatest situation for anyone, but stay positive about your grandma. Hopefully she makes a full recovery!