Thank you to everyone who wrote to me. Now that I am a little less stressed, maybe I can type alittle better. I am currently on my off time, have been able to relax a bit and sleep throughout the next. I work 4 or 5 24 hour shifts at a time with 2 or 3 days off per week.

On to my questions about some of your replies in "Caregiver" issues

1. My client will only consume about 42oz. of liquids a day and that is mostly from her morning coffee. She won't drink unless I say something or hand her the cup, she can reach it at all times, she is mentally capable of making all decisions. When I ask her why she does this she says she is not doing it on purpose, she looks at her foley and sees urine (mind you- it's only a dribble) and thinks okay I have drank enough. Her urine out put in a 24 hour period is less then 1000 ml. I think that since she's on intervenous antibiotics she should be drinking at least 100onunces of water based fluids. That's only 5 refills in her drinking cup.

2. As for food, I have kept a log of the last few days, she only eats about 20grams of protein and thats mostly in one protein bar and a small portion of meat. She will not eat any green vegetable and very little fruit mostly apples.

3. she doesn't drink but does smoke, she doesn't seem to understand this isn't elping either.

I have talked to her doctor about this, and I have been blown off, everyone thinks I am over-reacting. I know I am not, because she doesn't eat even 1000 calories a day. She has no enegery, how is the bed sore(stage4) going to heal? how will she get through rehab? I am at a loss, when I tried eatting in front of her, i got critized for eatting too much,I am a little on the chubby side, so now I have to be a closet eater in whenover there. She also has been told to be on bedrest becuz of where the bedsore is. She cries to get up during the day and once she gets up she won't go back to bed until right before her husband comes home and then she lies to him about how long she has been in bed, and then gets mad at me for not lying in my logs. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR what more can I do. I am always pleasant and as helpful as I can be when around her. I will do anything she asks, but when I tell her to do something I darn well know she can do, she complains that I don't help her. When I turn her at night and don't have a conversation with her becuz I am alseep she gets mad at me.......

Thanks for you answers

Christa

I am at a constant 24 hour 7 days a week with my bf also but I really love him and he listens to me. You on other hand do as much as you can and if her health depletes do not blame yourself. Take care of her as you are suppose to and be more firm about it. If that doesn't help and she is still stubborn then just let it go.

I respect and commend your conscientiousness with your client. Unfortunately, you can't help someone who isn't willing to help themselves. I would make it very clear to your client that you will do everything you reasonably can to help her, but you will not lie and compromise your principles for her. That is unreasonable for her to expect you to do so. If she has a problem with that, then she can hire another Aid.

My Dr. said I should drink 2400 ccs of water per day when I was on a foley.

The adage, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink," applies here.

Try as much as you like, but if she isn't going to eat, drink, or get up, then thats that.

I would at least tell the husband these issues, because it sounds like she has a strong case of depression. A psychologist could help her more than anything.