Reply to When are you too old to 'fix'?

Forum Index » Eldercare

Reply to "When are you too old to 'fix'?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Sometimes people/patients/families fail to accept normal aging/end of life  processes. Doing invasive treatments that will not prolong someone’s life statistically but will expose them to pain and risk of disabling complications may not be good for them. Patients may die during surgery or of post op complications. Everybody thinks the percentages will go in their favor, but some people with be in that percent of those who die. Physicians have to act in the best interest of the patient even if the patient may not agree. She could doctor shop and maybe find someone else if she likes. Often elderly patients with health issues will die of something else before the disease process takes them. [/quote]

Dealing with this issue with my 86 year old mom. She had open heart surgery to correct a congenital heart valve condition over 20 years ago but now has developed a symptom of heart failure. She is facing several invasive tests to properly diagnose this new development and has already said that she doesn’t want the invasive surgery that is typical of the diagnosis.

I told her bluntly that she will not be forced by her doctors to have surgery that will involve risks of anesthesia and extensive recovery. She was getting more agitated and worried about facing surgery. She needed to hear that at her age, she has to really think through risks and pros + cons. Right now she’s active, independent and in otherwise great health.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics