Experience with elderly loved one and pacemaker

[nymima01]

I am looking for some stories -good or bad - on any experience with elderly loved ones with pacemakers. My mother - 93 yrs old - will need a new battery within the year. She has end stage congestive heart failure and other co-morbitities. She is currently on hospice for the heart failure. She is still of sound mind and I am thinking she will probably opt for a new pacemaker device when the time rolls around. I do believe she will still be here to make that decision within this year. She is currently showing symptoms that the battery is slowly running down. If she opts for treatment of a new battery, hospice will drop her. If she opts out, they will try to keep her comfortable if her battery runs out, and until she passes. (She has the pacemaker due to bradycardia and syncope). Her heart would go as low as 35 beats a minute before the pacemaker and she was passing out.

[Hidden]

Not sure if you know much about heart failure.

My understanding from my dad’s heart failure and blood pressure IS heart is full of scar tissue that grows over time till blood can not circulate.

That’s stage my dad is at AND if he had Pace Maker don’t think all batteries in world would save him or new Pace Maker

Clearly am no expert but that’s questions I would ask doctors

[ling]

Hi dear. It's been a while hearing about your mom. Sorry to hear about the battery change.

My mother recently had her pacemaker implanted. She's 84. The battery is expected to last about 6 years. She says if she's still alive then, she likely will not opt for a battery change.

I look down to that possible future, and it brings me sadness. That is life's cycle and we all come to it at some point. The pacemaker has bought my mother another 6 years. It is amazing. In my great grandmother's time, such a device was not available. I guess we should count our blessings, in what will regardless be a sad time.

[nymima01 in reply to ling]

My mother also has invasive squamous cell skin cancer. She gets tumors that need Mohs surgery every 2 months or so. She is outliving her skin (her words). I feel she will opt for a new battery because of the unknown aspects of NOT replacing the battery. Difficult times.

[ling in reply to nymima01]

Difficult indeed.

My father had his pacemaker battery changed at 78. He too had heart failure and various other medical conditions. The surgery took quite a lot out of him though it was a "simpler" procedure compared to the implant. It took a while but he made a good recovery.

[Hidden]

Hi there

My mother, 91 in 3 weeks had her pacemaker replaced earlier this year as the battery on the old one was failing after 11 years, and apart from some soreness around the wound has had no issues. She lives on her own and is very active. I say go for it

[Love100cats]

I'm surprised that anyone is given a choice! My husband is almost 80 and his pacemaker battery was at 6% in March. The technicians reminded us of how expensive they are and said he would see a cardiologist at some time, no hurry! His feet have started swelling again so I have to give him extra tabs to get rid of fluid. Kidneys are an issue and he has been diagnosed with dementia by g.p. He would opt for replacement device but my feeling is that they won't give him a choice and it will be the wait and see scenario. If the individual is alert enough to make the decision and wants to go ahead I wouldn't stand in their way. I'm a great believer in autonomy over your own body. X

[Hidden in reply to Love100cats]

My dad as Alzheimer’s Dementia and I have nothing but respect for anyone facing such condition AND medical injustice’s that seem to be part parcel of there condition’s.

Sadly am not stoic like my dad or those with Alzheimer’s Dementia and with injustice have seen whitnessed makes me glad am not

[nymima01 in reply to Love100cats]

My mother’s kidney count at last test was at 35%. A new pacemaker would enable her to live until her kidneys were barely functioning. Paying for a new device is not the problem as she has good insurance. And doctors love to do surgery, so I think if she says go - it will get done.

[nymima01]

I am her sole caretaker. Hospice has been such a relief for me. I have returning non Hodgkin’s lymphoma and I’m currently doing chemo for the next 6 months. If hospice drops her, she has other health problems that continually need to be addressed. Can you imagine the dilemma? I know I cannot continue to care for her if her needs require more attention. I don’t wish to sound selfish as I have totally committed to the care of my mother for over 7 yrs now. But it has taken a toll.

Her EP will probably want to do the procedure and for this I have to accept what comes. She has valve problems too that will require surgery in about a year or so. She is in the moderate stage now. She has a tachy heart and permanent afib. Her blood pressure is around 90/52 on a good day. (But That may be due to the low battery status)? Her EP has said he will not recommend the valve surgery. But she hasn’t seen him since hospice took over. I will have to have the battery check done soon, so I made an appt for September this year.

[Love100cats]

It's sh hard juggling all these balls and trying to make the right decisions. My mum had heart failure but she refused any intervention and died peacefully age 96 in hospital. I now have heart failure so looking after my husband is enough. I was only sibling in this country so had no help with my mum. I just try to be balanced about his health. He is insulin dependent as well as all the rest. I try not to fret and do what has to be done when it has to be done. He is house bound which means I am too but he smiles a lot, tries to talk to me so is no trouble. I hope your issues unravel for you.x

[Bellresa]

That, first of all, I am very sorry that you were in such a situation.

Secondly, I think that the pacemaker must be changed necessarily to prolong the life of your mother. Don't you want her to be near you just a little more?

Third, the hospice can't put such conditions on you, especially when your mother's life is at stake.

Other organizations and people can also take care of your mother's care, not necessarily this hospice. My father with Alzheimer's disease is being looked after by home care Cincinnati - assistinghands.com/9/ohio/c.... We discussed the entire range of services in advance and signed a contract. Guardians are trained in everything and can provide first aid. I hope that you will understand this situation and find a way out.