My father is 87 years old, and suffers from vascular dementia, in the last few months, things are deteriorating quite rapidly, but for the last month, he has severe amounts of phlem and coughing, he is a smoker and doesn t move around hardly at all. What can be done, my mother seems to not think that this is reason for concern. He has also been permanently catheterized for over a year. What can I do to help??
Hi, Immobilization will be his enemy since vascular dementia is likely keeping him physically inactive.  Phlegm and coughing suggest that he either has a pulmonary infection such as bronchitis or worse yet pneumonia.  He really should stop smoking and become more active by either moving about the house or taking him outside if he can tolerate walking. This will help his clear secretions more easily.  Nebulizations are given to him (with or without medication in the nebulizer) will be helpful to him being more easily able to move his secretions up from his lungs to expectorate.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.