My 90 yo mom with moderate dementia needs a pacemaker (her heart rate is down to 30, and although her heart has a good rhythm, it occasionally stops for up to 11 seconds!). I have prevented at least 13 falls (yes, I count them!) but it’s only a matter of time, so she really does need this. She is aware of this and was able to participate in the decision, so I’m OK with doing this. Anyway, she will have to be in overnight and I want to minimize the trauma for her. So far I’ve packed her pull ups, hand and face wipes, disposable toothbrushes (she uses these everyday), a music player with headphones, chargers for all my stuff (I’ll stay with her). Of course all her paperwork (insurance cards, photo ID, med list (and meds just in case), current labs, contact lists, copy of POA and advance directive. Am I missing anything? Thanks in advance.
you may want to contact your mom’s doc about what to do.
One thing I don't see here is to be prepared for some setback because of the anesthesia. Sometimes it can take a while to get back to "normal", sometimes one never gets back to that, but it can improve over the initial. Hopefully she won't have any setback or gets back up to herself quick!
- desinfecting wipes
- paper and pen , to note who comes and says and does what or leave messages
- snacks, water
- hand cream
- lip balm
- warm socks
- note sign : Will be back in ___ min , with my name and cell phone ( in case someones comes while I am out)
- alarm clock to tell time ( if she cares)
For me :
- comfortable light shoes (standing up for long time next to bed and wearing them while trying to sleep at night )
- eye mask ( help snooze under strong lights sometimes even on at night)
- personal items to freshen up ( panties, socks, tooth brush, face towellettes , moisturiser).. game changer after a sleepless night
Best of luck ,
-
Her issue is more related to NOT walking enough or getting exercise. When she moved into MC, she was able to walk unassisted, for TWO years. Then came the rollator. But, all along she'd get herself out to the table to eat, then sit all day when not eating, reading papers, magazines, sale catalogs. No exercise! She used to harp at my dad to "use it or lose it!" She even recently said she should do this when the nurse was helping her, but last attempt with PT she refused to work with them. They even held light exercise classes with residents who would (or could be convinced to) participate. Not mom. The weight gain doesn't help either.
So, like your mother she is now in a wheelchair. It will just make it worse, since she isn't using her legs. But, it is what it is. With dementia you can't get them to drink and can't even lead them to the drink!
I agree that your mom needs a pacemaker and the procedure is not difficult or traumatic. She'll have more energy afterwards and will be less likely to fall. You and she have made the decision to go for this procedure. We treat people humanely not because of age, but because of need. Please consider that you will need to find ways to keep her from removing the bandage until the wound heals.
gum.....water, baanana, fresh frfuit. whatever yoy thing you two might enhoy
GN
My hospital specifically ask that we don't have anything of value in the room. So I even take that stuff home if they have it on them. Underwear, toothbrushes, etc, etc they have all that stuff at the hospital.
Here's a frugal person's tip. Much of the stuff in her room will be thrown away once she leaves. The boxes of gloves, the extra underwear, the stack of super absorbent pads, the brushes, the socks, the hovermatt. Ask if you can have it. Afterall, you "paid" for it. It's charged to your insurance. Why not take it to use at home instead of filling up a landfill? Once a nurse asked if we wanted to take all this stuff saying it would be thrown away anyways. I said yes. Now I ask every time, if they are just going to throw it away, if we can have it. Every time they say yes. Most times the nurse will even bring big bags and help us bag it all up.
Not when I was there! I had just the over-sized one-size-fits-all PJs and robe they provided for me. When I asked the nurse for help cleaning up, she said she'd be back. Hours later when she returned, I was NOT happy. She told me I could take care of myself! I did get the head nurse in and told her what the nurse said and I asked her if she saw any towels or washcloths, any clean clothing, ANYTHING that would allow me to care for myself. She looked around and said nope. Many days later when that nurse came again, she was rather contrite.
Towards the end of my stay (almost a month of this!) I was surprised and pleased to see a light cotton, purple colored set of PJs and robe left for me! This nurse recognized the issue without me saying a word, and brought me these items from the kid's ward downstairs! They were SO nice, they fit and were lightweight, I didn't need to roll up sleeves, pant legs, bunch everything up to fit or be bogged down by the weight of the typical items!!!
May be contraindicated......
You may need to check online and with doctors to figure out the facts. Reading that 'do not allow someone wearing headphones to place their head on your chest' - - - like hugging your Mom...may interfere with a pacemaker.
"Several types of devices and machinery may interfere with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and pacemakers.
The electromagnetic waves generated by such devices can keep your ICD or pacemaker from functioning properly. Try to avoid them, or at least minimize your exposure to them.
Your doctor can advise you about specific devices and machinery to avoid. But, in general, the following can cause interference:"
[There is a long list]
So really, make sure they have what is required. I wish all nurses were as good as CM's.
If our experience is anything to go by -
(and I've come to believe that specialties worldwide have more in common with their fellow specialties than they have by nationality - so orthopods can be relied on to be boisterous, and ophthalmologists to be in love with their work, and anaesthetists to be a bit mad-scientisty, and so on down the stereotypes - anyway, just my theory...)
- your mother will be taken beautiful care of by the nursing team. They don't have their patients for very long, and they can really focus on making the whole routine go as smoothly and comfortably as possible. Plus, of course, most of their patients are on the older side and they're adept at accommodating their needs.
If anything worries you don't hesitate to ask questions, but do set your mother a good example by relaxing as far as you possibly can. There shouldn't really be any trauma to speak of - is there some aspect of the procedure you're particularly anxious about?
Hospitals are very frightening places for elders.
Ask the hospital for a small roll out cot for you. I spent too many nights 'sleeping' in a hard plastic chair next to my DH. Bring your OWN pillow and a blanket, as the hospital may NOT let you 'lie down'. Bring books to read or crafts to keep your hands busy.
Bring mom her favorite pillow, as hospital pillows are like bricks.
Try to get in a nap everyday NOT at the hospital, if you can get someone to cover for you.
Oh, I just re-read. Only an overnight stay? Shouldn't be too bad. They'll punt her out of there early on the 2nd day. You're a good daughter to be so involved in this. She'll probably feel a lot better once the new pacemaker is in.