My mom is 75 stage 4 Inflammatory breast cancer pt on home hospice at my home. I'm only caregiver. Problem is the cancer has mets to skin leaving huge draining/bleeding wounds that have to be dressed 24/7. Np there. Problem is that when I'm not around (night etc)she pulls them off and I can't get her to stop. I need help I'm at my wits end.
Secondly, I would aim at addressing the reason she is pulling off the bandages. Have you ever had an itch and couldn't scratch it? Ugh. To make it harder to relieve her discomfort is a solution of you, but not really for her immediate needs. What is her discomfort? Is she allergic to the bandages? Is the drainage irritating?
Talk to a wound doctor or nurse. Perhaps try Medihoney, as someone else suggested.
I would ask them for guidance on what you can use to stop the irritation from the fluids. Maybe some mittens overnight can help with her dexterity getting the bandaids off.
May The Lord touch both of you and make this final journey together as peaceful as it can be.
I really feel for you!
My aunt used it on a wound that would not heal and it was amazing how well it worked. https://www.shopwoundcare.com/b-medihoney.html.
She would also wrap it sometimes with Guaze bandages for extra comfort and to stop any leakage from the draining/bleeding. https://www.shopwoundcare.com/c-conforming-bandages.html
It helped relieve a lot of the discomfort she was having.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=derma+sciences+medihoney&i=industrial&crid=2I89CVPGIZ8QF&sprefix=derma+sciences+medihoney%2Cindustrial%2C97&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Hope this helps.
* I believe it is (partially caused by) anxiety, boredom.
* Perhaps use 'more aggressive' tape so not as easy to pull off.
* Give her something else to fiddle with -
* I am a massage practitioner; I have used liquid bandaids - although this might not work for a larger area. This is good though for small abrasions/cuts on my fingers. Really helped me when doing a massage and not emcumbered with a band-aid.
Gena / Touch Matters
It is time now for hospice guidance, and for medication that will prevent the itching and pain that is causing this distress and pulling at the dressings. I know you are likely using already stockinette? Consider so mildly compressing cotton spandex garments over the dressings.
You are now looking for comfort only and a blessed deliverance from a torment even a Saint couldn't endure. Please be certain medication is on board even IF it does hasten death by some minutes, hours, days or even weeks.
It was observed below that pain medications required can increase itching. Important you discuss this with Hospice. Hopefully hiring an aid will not be required, but it may be.
This sounds like it is WAY to much for just one person anyway, so hiring someone for overnight will allow you a goods night sleep and will prevent your mom from pulling off the bandages.
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If the wounds are on her extremities...
- cut her nails very short or put on short, fake nails which make successful picking almost impossible.
- put NexCare waterproof bandaids on each fingertip
- have her wear Tencel or non-latex gloves (tight-fitting so she can't get them off)
- make sure the wounds aren't itchy, which can trigger the picking; keep her skin well hydrated. Make sure she isn't allergic to the bandages (latex)
- meds for excoriation disorder (compulsive picking) "memantine" has shown effectiveness; CBD
- compression socks if the wounds are on her legs
- provide her a fidget toy or blanket