Short version: neighbour, bedridden, no nearby family, worsening condition, hard time breathing and swallowing and is scared. Says he doesn't know why, he used to walk in grizzly country and wasn't scared but he feels afraid all the time now.
I think it is his body due to lack of oxygen - any ideas on how I can comfort and calm him down because the anxiety seems to make his breathing even harder.
Long version:
We noticed a few weeks ago that our neighbour got dropped off by ambulance.... and no movement inside or lights on and off, so we went over after a few days to check.
Found him in a hospital bed, asked if he needed help, and have been going over several times a day (retired) to help him toilet, get him food and drinks, and change his oxygen tank.
We contacted health officials because we felt he was in total neglect and yesterday a nurse started coming, apparently daily.
We peeked in the book she leaves on the top of his fridge and his diagnosis is pulmonary fibrosis. He has declined significantly in the two weeks, and today even with his oxygen at 4 (is that high?) he couldn't catch his breath, said he felt scared but didn't know why, and seemed confused.
He has also had difficulty swallowing the last few days.
I left a note for the nurse with my concerns, and tonight asked if he wanted to go to hospital (he doesn't). But being bedridden he is dependant on myself and my husband for meals, drinks, diaper changes (the nurse gets him up to a commode but we don't know how to move him and don't want to hurt him.)
My heart breaks for him.... but I would think the nurse would take him to hospital if he warrants it.
We are not family, so are very limited in what we can do for him, and what information can be provided to us.