Mental Health

Hey guys

hope all is well. This part week i have been treating an elderly gentleman, who was in hospital for an amputated toe, he was originally discharged, however readmitted himself to hospital one day later. Over this time he has deteriorated significantly, mainly due to depression and severe lack of motivation, he is not eating and refusing to move out of the bed, previously i could get him to perform bed exercises and at least stand. Due to this increasing uncompliance with all staff members he has developed pressure sores on his heel etc. The other day i went to see him and he would not even perform bed exercises.

I had spoken to my supervisor and expressed my concern that if he didnt get up soon he wouldnt be bale to walk in the next few days. Due to his increasing non compliance she suggested i ask him if he wanted to end up in a nursing home, cause that was were he was headed as a last resort to try and get him up.

So I said this to him, even though i never felt particularly comfortable using this as a threat, this also had no effect on the situation. I know how important it was for me to try anything i could to get him up for his own welfare, however i dont think i will be using a technique like that again i felt absolutley horrible saying it, and i dont think it helped the patients current mental state either. I gave up for this treatment session and instead asked for mental health to review him. I will wait until this has been done as in the meantime my input is useless, i dont feel that anymore pushing will do anygood.