I badly need your help!! Father refusing to drink water

My mother-in-law had End Stage Renal Disease and was on dialysis for several years. Her health deteriorated to the point that she had to be placed in a nursing home. She had decided that she did not want to live to the year 2000 so shortly after Thanksgiving 1999 she began refusing to go to dialysis. The doctor and staff were able to talk her out of that but just before Christmas she refused dialysis and all medications including pain meds. She had osteoporosis as well.
When the nursing home staff notified us of her refusal of all treatments, I paid her a visit and had a little heart to heart. I asked her if this was what she really wanted and was she fully aware that she would suffer a very painful death. She said she was tired of all of it and believed that if she refused her medications she had to refuse her pain meds as well. I asked if she had thought about her children and grandchildren and how it would affect them to watch her die a slow painful death and especially at Christmas time. She said she had not thought about that and she agreed to wait a few days until after Christmas to discontinue her medications and dialysis. I understood her desire to end her pain but wanted her to have options available. I left the nursing home and called Hospice for assistance. I asked Hospice to visit her and talk with her about options.
Hospice went to the nursing home and immediately began working with her and the staff to proceed with her end of life plans without talking with her first. That didn't sit well with me but that's another story. My mother-in-law was relieved to learn that she didn't have to give up her pain medications just because she refused all other treatments. As a result, she was able to spend her last days being comfortable instead of in agony. She past peacefully on January 9, 2000.
The moral of the story is that as caregivers we can get so wrapped up in doing what the doctors want without listening to what our loved one wants. At the same time our "patients" may not be looking at all the consequences of refusing to follow doctors' orders. If at all possible we need to have open and honest conversations with our loved ones about what they want. They may be afraid to discuss their end of life plans because they don't want to hut us.
I was the caregiver for my father, mother-in-law and mother. It is very hard to become the "parent" of a parent.

Hi @aliali I am Scott and I am sorry to read of your dad's health challenges. I was my wife's primary caregiver for many years and understand how challenging and upsetting it can be when our loved one/patient doesn't follow directions. Especially true when it is for their own good.

In my wife's case, more often than not, she would reject my suggestions, but when the doctor ordered it, she finally listened. At one point her doctor told her if she didn't follow his directions he would not be her doctor any longer.

Another thing with my wife was over the course of her illness her tastebuds frequently changed and what was once a pleasurable food became intollerable. Things she enjoyed her whole life became enemies on her plate so I kept trying differet foods and finally ended fixing very bland, plain foods for her. We ended up eating exactly the same meals for years!

As far as hydration, I ran the gamut of water, tea, coffee, crystal lite, herbal teas, ice tea, soda water, and more!

Another thing that I remember was tough for me as a caregiver was realizing (and remembering) I could not control my wife's actions and reactions. I could suggest, coax, etc., but if she really resisted I had to let her follow herself and when things became uncomfortable enough she would usually come around to what had been suggested for her. I had to carefully pick my fights and invest my energy in only the most important.

Each patient and each caregiver is different, but I offer our experiences here for your consideration.

Strength, courage, and peace!

My mother-in-law had End Stage Renal Disease and was on dialysis for several years. Her health deteriorated to the point that she had to be placed in a nursing home. She had decided that she did not want to live to the year 2000 so shortly after Thanksgiving 1999 she began refusing to go to dialysis. The doctor and staff were able to talk her out of that but just before Christmas she refused dialysis and all medications including pain meds. She had osteoporosis as well.
When the nursing home staff notified us of her refusal of all treatments, I paid her a visit and had a little heart to heart. I asked her if this was what she really wanted and was she fully aware that she would suffer a very painful death. She said she was tired of all of it and believed that if she refused her medications she had to refuse her pain meds as well. I asked if she had thought about her children and grandchildren and how it would affect them to watch her die a slow painful death and especially at Christmas time. She said she had not thought about that and she agreed to wait a few days until after Christmas to discontinue her medications and dialysis. I understood her desire to end her pain but wanted her to have options available. I left the nursing home and called Hospice for assistance. I asked Hospice to visit her and talk with her about options.
Hospice went to the nursing home and immediately began working with her and the staff to proceed with her end of life plans without talking with her first. That didn't sit well with me but that's another story. My mother-in-law was relieved to learn that she didn't have to give up her pain medications just because she refused all other treatments. As a result, she was able to spend her last days being comfortable instead of in agony. She past peacefully on January 9, 2000.
The moral of the story is that as caregivers we can get so wrapped up in doing what the doctors want without listening to what our loved one wants. At the same time our "patients" may not be looking at all the consequences of refusing to follow doctors' orders. If at all possible we need to have open and honest conversations with our loved ones about what they want. They may be afraid to discuss their end of life plans because they don't want to hut us.
I was the caregiver for my father, mother-in-law and mother. It is very hard to become the "parent" of a parent.

My mother-in-law had End Stage Renal Disease and was on dialysis for several years. Her health deteriorated to the point that she had to be placed in a nursing home. She had decided that she did not want to live to the year 2000 so shortly after Thanksgiving 1999 she began refusing to go to dialysis. The doctor and staff were able to talk her out of that but just before Christmas she refused dialysis and all medications including pain meds. She had osteoporosis as well.
When the nursing home staff notified us of her refusal of all treatments, I paid her a visit and had a little heart to heart. I asked her if this was what she really wanted and was she fully aware that she would suffer a very painful death. She said she was tired of all of it and believed that if she refused her medications she had to refuse her pain meds as well. I asked if she had thought about her children and grandchildren and how it would affect them to watch her die a slow painful death and especially at Christmas time. She said she had not thought about that and she agreed to wait a few days until after Christmas to discontinue her medications and dialysis. I understood her desire to end her pain but wanted her to have options available. I left the nursing home and called Hospice for assistance. I asked Hospice to visit her and talk with her about options.
Hospice went to the nursing home and immediately began working with her and the staff to proceed with her end of life plans without talking with her first. That didn't sit well with me but that's another story. My mother-in-law was relieved to learn that she didn't have to give up her pain medications just because she refused all other treatments. As a result, she was able to spend her last days being comfortable instead of in agony. She past peacefully on January 9, 2000.
The moral of the story is that as caregivers we can get so wrapped up in doing what the doctors want without listening to what our loved one wants. At the same time our "patients" may not be looking at all the consequences of refusing to follow doctors' orders. If at all possible we need to have open and honest conversations with our loved ones about what they want. They may be afraid to discuss their end of life plans because they don't want to hut us.
I was the caregiver for my father, mother-in-law and mother. It is very hard to become the "parent" of a parent.

I find my self coming to these pages to get my fix for the day and I am never disappointed in what the contributors, moderators, mentors, have added. Your entry today, cindyt63, felt so right as I have also been a caregiver for my mother the five years before she passed at 99, and now my husband needs me in his journey with Alzheimer's. I remember how painful it was for me when taking care of mother, when we reached the point that you mention as "the moral of the story" . Actually, it brought about a calming effect for me and relief, along with sadness at the reality of what was going to happen. I am hoping I can meet the challenge with my husband when that time comes. Tears are falling now but a dose of reality is always good. Thank you for post.

I find my self coming to these pages to get my fix for the day and I am never disappointed in what the contributors, moderators, mentors, have added. Your entry today, cindyt63, felt so right as I have also been a caregiver for my mother the five years before she passed at 99, and now my husband needs me in his journey with Alzheimer's. I remember how painful it was for me when taking care of mother, when we reached the point that you mention as "the moral of the story" . Actually, it brought about a calming effect for me and relief, along with sadness at the reality of what was going to happen. I am hoping I can meet the challenge with my husband when that time comes. Tears are falling now but a dose of reality is always good. Thank you for post.