Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Surviving Spouse
Dad has his good days and his bad days since Mom has passed.
Some days he eats only enough to survive and fortunately, more recently, he has regained his appetite and is even asking for cake and ice cream. A new doctor visited recently, and prescribed a medication that will help unclog his ears and he said that dad’s abscess around his groin area is healing well. The new social worker is concerned that dad remains in bed and refuses to listen to the radio or watch television. I told her, this is a symptom of his depression as well as of his deteriorating vision and hearing. He has lost the desire for some of the activities that used to bring him pleasure. He still insists on getting the daily newspaper.
According to Vitas Hospice, the loss of a spouse is more dangerous for men than for women. Men tend to grieve more deeply and are less capable of caring for themselves alone.
Fortunately, my dad still has the same responsive, round-the-clock staff that has been there since March 2005. In addition, he has a supportive hospice team that includes nurses, physicians, a case manager, nurses and assistants, and a wonderful minister. In addition, Shirley brings him first Holy Communion every Sunday, ever since my mom passed.
He is well taken care of.
Dad's only sister, who lives in LA, has been in a nursing home since April. Dad spoke with her husband to find out how she was doing last week.
I will visit again soon.
Some days he eats only enough to survive and fortunately, more recently, he has regained his appetite and is even asking for cake and ice cream. A new doctor visited recently, and prescribed a medication that will help unclog his ears and he said that dad’s abscess around his groin area is healing well. The new social worker is concerned that dad remains in bed and refuses to listen to the radio or watch television. I told her, this is a symptom of his depression as well as of his deteriorating vision and hearing. He has lost the desire for some of the activities that used to bring him pleasure. He still insists on getting the daily newspaper.
According to Vitas Hospice, the loss of a spouse is more dangerous for men than for women. Men tend to grieve more deeply and are less capable of caring for themselves alone.
Fortunately, my dad still has the same responsive, round-the-clock staff that has been there since March 2005. In addition, he has a supportive hospice team that includes nurses, physicians, a case manager, nurses and assistants, and a wonderful minister. In addition, Shirley brings him first Holy Communion every Sunday, ever since my mom passed.
He is well taken care of.
Dad's only sister, who lives in LA, has been in a nursing home since April. Dad spoke with her husband to find out how she was doing last week.
I will visit again soon.
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