My mother suffered a severe stroke in Sept of 2020. She's fed off a…

She has copious amounts. Suctioning her mouth, the patches, etc ... isn't helping. Her nursing home doesn't offer deep suctioning. There's always phlegm in her throat just rattling. It derails any efforts on her part to try and speak (has aphasia) and is now putting her in the hospital at least once a month for aspiration. It used to be months between hospital trips, but recently much more frequent. Hospital staff say to put her in hospice care. I don't want to do that but what else can be done?? Absolutely desperate. help. This is my mother, she's currently in a nursing home due to the stroke. Left-side brain stroke. Secretions are a huge, huge issue. Ruins what little quality of life she has left.

Hi Julia

Thanks for reaching out on EnableMe. I’m so sorry to hear about your mum’s stroke and her swallowing problems.

You will need active management from a GP, the nursing staff and a speech pathologist to find the right approach for your mum. Your mum needs specific assessment and treatment for secretion management.

There are a few different approaches to consider.

Medication can be used to reduce the amount of secretion produced. Another option is to use a medication that breaks up the sticky secretions to make them easier to cough up.

If the nursing home have a ‘free water’ protocol for patients with dysphagia, she could have frequent mouth cleaning followed by sips of water, which may reduce the amount of secretions sitting in the pharynx.

Chest physiotherapy is also an option. Your mum could have that on a regular basis to help clear her airway.

You may also like to consider a move to a nursing home that offers deep suctioning. My Aged Care can provide advice on this.

It may be helpful too to think about whether palliative care may be a more appropriate and comfortable setting for your mum. If your mum’s hospital team suggest this, it’s worth knowing what they think the benefits will be. Make a list of your concerns and questions. You can then talk with her hospital team and her GP about it.

It is your mum’s GP who is responsible for leading the process of finding the best approach for your mum and coordinating her care. So start with ensuing your mum has an active GP who can work towards the best approach for her. While your mum is in hospital, make the most of the hospital team – speak with doctors, speech pathologists and social workers. Get as much information and support as you can.

I am so sorry your mum and family are going through this. StrokeLine is available again after 6 January. We would be happy to provide more advice and support. Call 1800 787 653 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au

Kind regards, Jude, StrokeLine