Hello, I'm a new member and I am unsure of where/how to go about asking questions/advice without hording in on somebody else's conversation. I'm a part-time caregiver to my sister-in-law who was diagnosed with ALS in October of 2007. Her disease has progressed rapidly. She has been confined to a wheelchair for almost a year, she's getting so weak now that she has trouble pushing the controls, she's unable to do anything by herself, she's on oxygen, and Hospice has stated that they don't believe it will be long before she's totally confined to bed. Her speech is getting worse by the day but she still talks about 'when she gets better'. She has signed paperwork, in her early days of the disease, stating that she does not want a feeding or breathing tube, or any medication that would prolong her life; only wants to be medicated 'for comfort'. Is it fair to her (or my brother) to let her believe she's going to get better? Are we best off to ignore her comments? OR, do we help her to understand she is dying, in order to help prepare her for death? It's so heartbreaking.
In answer to the question concerning pants: we find it best to put Jan in any type of pants with an elastic band (no silky material). They quickly and easily pull up and down. No buttons, no zippers, no velcro. Make sure the pants are loose, not tight fitting. Tight fitting pants are harder for the caregiver to pull up. Jan also wears briefs (adult diapers).