My FiL, 82 and with as yet undiagnosed dementia, had a Best Interests meeting today at our local hospital, to discuss the possibility of him having an operation to repair an inguinal hernia. I attended the meeting along with my OH (his eldest son).
To my surprise, the medics recommended that the operation should go ahead. They would operate using a spinal block instead of a general anaesthetic, which should help prevent further loss of cognitive function. He would have to stay in hospital for 1-2 days.
I was surprised because I expected them to say he was too frail for further surgery. He had a major operation for bowel cancer 2 years ago, and has had both hips replaced, one twice. He also wears an indwelling catheter as a result of loss of bladder control following his bowel surgery. He has what I suspect is aphasia as a result of an earlier hip operation (but again, this has not yet been diagnosed), so they considered that he was not able to make a decision for himself, hence why OH and I were there.
My OH and I are happy that the medics have balanced up all the risks and benefits, and based on available information, it does seem right that he should have the operation. But I'm just wondering what if....
What if he suffers some complications? What if he can't be discharged back home? Would Social Services carry out a fresh assessment of his social care needs? Would he be eligible for another re-ablement package, like the one he received 2 years ago?
The picture is complicated because he lives with his wife, who cares for him but has herself been diagnosed with dementia. He has an agency carer visiting him every morning to get him out of bed, washed and dressed. His daughter visits him every evening to put him to bed. As a family we have tried to introduce additional care visits in the middle of the day, but his wife turned them away. His sons and daughter visit regularly and bring meals to them, but it's not a formalised care arrangement. Obviously, we'd have to make sure he had 24 hour supervision for the first few days after his discharge, at least. But how likely is it that his care needs will increase permanently?
Has anyone out there had similar experiences of a PWD having a similar operation? Is there anything I should beware of?
Thank you.
To my surprise, the medics recommended that the operation should go ahead. They would operate using a spinal block instead of a general anaesthetic, which should help prevent further loss of cognitive function. He would have to stay in hospital for 1-2 days.
I was surprised because I expected them to say he was too frail for further surgery. He had a major operation for bowel cancer 2 years ago, and has had both hips replaced, one twice. He also wears an indwelling catheter as a result of loss of bladder control following his bowel surgery. He has what I suspect is aphasia as a result of an earlier hip operation (but again, this has not yet been diagnosed), so they considered that he was not able to make a decision for himself, hence why OH and I were there.
My OH and I are happy that the medics have balanced up all the risks and benefits, and based on available information, it does seem right that he should have the operation. But I'm just wondering what if....
What if he suffers some complications? What if he can't be discharged back home? Would Social Services carry out a fresh assessment of his social care needs? Would he be eligible for another re-ablement package, like the one he received 2 years ago?
The picture is complicated because he lives with his wife, who cares for him but has herself been diagnosed with dementia. He has an agency carer visiting him every morning to get him out of bed, washed and dressed. His daughter visits him every evening to put him to bed. As a family we have tried to introduce additional care visits in the middle of the day, but his wife turned them away. His sons and daughter visit regularly and bring meals to them, but it's not a formalised care arrangement. Obviously, we'd have to make sure he had 24 hour supervision for the first few days after his discharge, at least. But how likely is it that his care needs will increase permanently?
Has anyone out there had similar experiences of a PWD having a similar operation? Is there anything I should beware of?
Thank you.