At 90, should the batteries be replaced in a pacemaker for a patient with dementia

[Wenger]

At 90, should the batteries be replaced in a pacemaker for a patient with dementia

[10gingercats]

This is a matter of opinion and mine tells me yes if the dementia is mild to moderate. A friends mother lived a good and pretty active life until 99. My friend, her daughter always consulted the docs. about her mothers well being and only got good help and advice .Her mother has a pacemaker fitted at 85 and had cataracts done at 90. Her mother did not have dementia so that is the difference.

[baba]

A person at 90 has the same rights as anyone else.

[BobD Volunteer]

I hope so. Thats about when mine is due at current useage. Euthanasia was still illegal in UK when I last checked.

[Hylda2 in reply to BobD]

You and me both!

[opal11uk]

Age should not make any difference, if the patient is fit enough to have the procedure that should be the criteria.

[beardy_chris]

I'm not a medic but I think it depends on the severity of the dementia. If the treatment would cause them a lot of distress, I would hope the medics might be able to help. It is possible though to imagine a patient with such severe dementia that a successful outcome would be unlikely.

I hope the medical team would be able to advise appropriately.

[Wenger in reply to beardy_chris]

Thanks to you and others for your comments . . . dementia is at an early stage . . . the medical team has been very helpful . . .

[Dippy22]

You will not have any choice. Failing to change out a failing PM will likely result in death and the NHS law will not allow that to happen.

My mother had early stage Alzheimer’s at 90 when her’s needed swapping out and even though she was adamant she did not want it done, it was literally a knee on the chest and it was forced upon her. I soon realised that for the NHS to comply with her wishes would be tantamount to assisted suicide.

[Wenger in reply to Dippy22]

Thanks for your comments.

[Brianboru]

Yes

[bonnie54]

I have heard that a dementia sufferer might not understand what is going on so that the operation to replace the battery is practically assault. Maybe not so kind.

My mother died at 94 with dementia. The last 2 years of her life she had no idea who she was or where. She did not remember that she had 3 children let alone recognise us.

The last 8 days of her life she could not swallow at all so died of starvation/dehydration. I would not let my cat suffer as she did but had to allow it to contine for over a week. It is not a death I would wish on anybody.

We should not always assume extending a life with medical intervention is a kindness.

Regards, Bronwen

[Wenger in reply to bonnie54]

Thanks for sharing your personal experience . . . observations and conclusions.

[Buffafly in reply to bonnie54]

Totally agree, I’ve been there, but without the pacemaker functioning do we know what the person would suffer? Not necessarily a quick death……

[Brianboru in reply to bonnie54]

Agreed in some unfortunate cases.

[Wenger in reply to Brianboru]

Thanks for your response . . . I also read the comments of "bonnie54" several times . . .

[Desanthony]

Yes, I believe so. My wife's Uncle had his batteries replaced at that age - even though he died within about 6 months of the last replacement - he died from pneumonia which he had after having a hip replacement. With his dementia there was a time when he called us at home whilst we were eating dinner - it was the day of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee I remember and we had spent the whole day with them, and accused us of removing the charger for his pacemaker from the kitchen !?!? A good laugh at times but it was sad too. To be honest my wife said there were times when we were looking after her Aunt and Uncle that we would have "plugged" him into the mains. It was a hard stressful time but again we did our best and did manage to have some good times and good laughs with them going through old memories.

[Wenger]

Thank you for your comments, Desanthony . . . we appreciate your report.

[baba]

A timely reminder for those of us with pacemakers to make our wishes known before we get dementia or loss of capacity.

[Buffafly in reply to baba]

A pacemaker doesn’t keep you alive as far as I know?