Was a nurse, had many patients with advanced dementia over the years. Unfortunately as a result, my answer is “their own feces” as they just have no idea what is what anymore.
Usually some variation of this situation: poop gets on their hands because their trying to swat helpers away who are cleaning them up, then ultimately curious about what’s on their hands before one of us can clean those too, and their fingers end up in their mouth. Same people who refuse to participate meaningfully in eating or drinking anything suitable, with or without assistance.
No one should have to keep living like that. And yet, 60% or more of them were full fucking code. Get your wishes in writing and notarized, placed on file and communicate them with your family or whomever will be point person/people near the end of your time here. Because the default is “do everything” and the reality is, many people suffer for a very long time because of that.
Was a nurse, had many patients with advanced dementia over the years. Unfortunately as a result, my answer is “their own feces” as they just have no idea what is what anymore.
Usually some variation of this situation: poop gets on their hands because their trying to swat helpers away who are cleaning them up, then ultimately curious about what’s on their hands before one of us can clean those too, and their fingers end up in their mouth. Same people who refuse to participate meaningfully in eating or drinking anything suitable, with or without assistance.
No one should have to keep living like that. And yet, 60% or more of them were full fucking code. Get your wishes in writing and notarized, placed on file and communicate them with your family or whomever will be point person/people near the end of your time here. Because the default is “do everything” and the reality is, many people suffer for a very long time because of that.
agreed