Mother-in-Law concerns

Wibbles

We went to see my wifes parents, over the weekend and my Mother-in-law - who is in her late 80's, suddenly - mid conversation - went to "sleep", her head dropped and she went in to a sleep state for, perhaps 10 seconds !!

She has heart problems (she had a (prearranged) cardiologist appointment, yesterday in which she was told that she has heart failure - she was not told what stage or whether there is anything that can be done...

They live over 150 miles away from us.

Any advice please.

Rosie_Scope

That does sound worrying @Wibbles. Has your mother in law got any care in place or any relatives nearby who could keep a close eye on her for you? 

Wibbles

Rosie_Scope said:

That does sound worrying @Wibbles. Has your mother in law got any care in place or any relatives nearby who could keep a close eye on her for you? 

Her husband.... my FIL is 95 and has his own health concerns !

Rosie_Scope

That's not easy @Wibbles. Have they had a needs assessment to see if there's anything that could be done to support them at home?

Perhaps there's a kind neighbour around where they live that wouldn't mind keeping an eye on them both for you?

MW123

Hi Wibbles, I wanted to share with you that I have heart failure, but I've never been given a specific stage of failure. My heart tests and imaging have shown that my heart is functioning at 25%. I've experienced similar instances of nodding off, which are known as transient episodes of loss of consciousness. These episodes are normal but can be quite embarrassing for the sufferer, especially when they occur at work or a social event.

As your mother-in-law has only just been diagnosed, it will take the hospital a while to organise her medication and care plan. My heart condition is monitored between my cardiologist and local heart failure specialist clinic. I am in my early 60's, but I have been attending the clinic for several years, and I often chat with a lady who has just celebrated her 96th birthday she was diagnosed at 87. 

I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry too much. Heart failure is a chronic condition, but with the right care and support, many people are able to live fulfilling and active lives.

Wibbles

MW123 said:

Hi Wibbles, I wanted to share with you that I have heart failure, but I've never been given a specific stage of failure. My heart tests and imaging have shown that my heart is functioning at 25%. I've experienced similar instances of nodding off, which are known as transient episodes of loss of consciousness. These episodes are normal but can be quite embarrassing for the sufferer, especially when they occur at work or a social event.

As your mother-in-law has only just been diagnosed, it will take the hospital a while to organise her medication and care plan. My heart condition is monitored between my cardiologist and local heart failure specialist clinic. I am in my early 60's, but I have been attending the clinic for several years, and I often chat with a lady who has just celebrated her 96th birthday she was diagnosed at 87. 

I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry too much. Heart failure is a chronic condition, but with the right care and support, many people are able to live fulfilling and active lives.

Sorry - I missed a word from the diagnosis - "ACUTE" Heart failure.....

Wibbles

There is the added problem that they have NO mobile phone or computer - so are currently unable to access their health records !

We are trying to find a way to get around this - without having to phone on every occasion that they need a prescription or appointment but this appears extremely difficult.

egister

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/868809#Comment_868809

Is it possible, with her consent, to get you a login and password to access her medical data?