1. < Caregivers: Dementia

Cataracts and Dementia

Posted by Teri @tsc, Sep 11, 2023

My husband has moderate Alzheimer's Disease. He's still highly functioning. A few weeks ago, I told him I scheduled an appointment with the optometrist. He said good because his right eye was bothering him. He never mentioned this before.
Turns out, he can't see anything out of his right eye, due to the progression of a cataract. The optometrist recommended corrective surgery. There is a 4 - 6 month wait.
I ran this by a doctor friend who told me the surgery is very safe. He also sent me articles about dementia and treatment of cataracts. Cataract surgery is not performed on patients with Alzheimer's or Dementia relative to the rest of the similarly aged population, yet it greatly benefits cognition and can help with preventing falls.
I'm posting this for anyone who may be in a similar situation with the person they care for, whether now or in the future.
My husband is looking forward to the surgery.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

janet7 | @janet7 | Jan 3 10:33pm
In reply to @tsc "Hi @janet7, I hope it goes well, and that he gets to the ER. Hopefully, he..." + (show)
@tsc

Hi @janet7, I hope it goes well, and that he gets to the ER. Hopefully, he will make it a little easier for you and agree to go. And if not, you know what you have to do.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your advice and support. I’m very grateful.

REPLY
janet7 | @janet7 | Jan 3 10:34pm
In reply to @janet7 "Will hasn’t had a good day. He is very weak and out of breath, and we..." + (show)
@janet7

Will hasn’t had a good day. He is very weak and out of breath, and we may have to go to the ER. I am getting frightened about him feeling so bad. We are still waiting for the Ablation next Wednesday. In the meantime, I can take him to the ER because that is what doctors tell me to do if he feels worse. If he refuses to go to the ER, I will have to call 911.

Jump to this post

Thank you!

REPLY
janet7 | @janet7 | Jan 14 10:59pm

From AARP bulletin January/February 2024

Article: There is all of this potential for music to improve lives

“If you’re a caregiver, music is something you should think about as part of your care plan”

I believe there is something to this advice and I am going to incorporate a lot more music into my care plan.

REPLY
1 reply
janet7 | @janet7 | Jan 14 11:02pm
In reply to @tsc "Hi @janet7, I hope it goes well, and that he gets to the ER. Hopefully, he..." + (show)
@tsc

Hi @janet7, I hope it goes well, and that he gets to the ER. Hopefully, he will make it a little easier for you and agree to go. And if not, you know what you have to do.

Jump to this post

We found out after the Ablation that my husband has pneumonia and that was also why he was so tired and coughing. No fever. Just this bad cough and runny nose so we’re thought he had a cold.

REPLY
Teri | @tsc | Jan 15 1:24pm
In reply to @janet7 "From AARP bulletin January/February 2024 Article: There is all of this potential for music to improve..." + (show)
@janet7

From AARP bulletin January/February 2024

Article: There is all of this potential for music to improve lives

“If you’re a caregiver, music is something you should think about as part of your care plan”

I believe there is something to this advice and I am going to incorporate a lot more music into my care plan.

Jump to this post

I think it depends on the person. My husband loved music, classical, rock and some country, but now it annoys him. Sometimes, when I'm listening to music, I have to turn it off, or lower the volume so as not to disturb him.

REPLY
1 reply
janet7 | @janet7 | Jan 16 9:31am
In reply to @tsc "I think it depends on the person. My husband loved music, classical, rock and some country,..." + (show)
@tsc

I think it depends on the person. My husband loved music, classical, rock and some country, but now it annoys him. Sometimes, when I'm listening to music, I have to turn it off, or lower the volume so as not to disturb him.

Jump to this post

How about some soft sentimental music? “Oh yes, I Remember It Well” is one of my favorites. Some older romantic songs that might remind him of the past, which is where he is now.
If it irritates him, tell him the music reminds you of your dating days and you want to listen to it.
Worth a try!

REPLY
ndclayt41 | @ndclayt41 | Jan 21 10:52pm

We went through this we were schedule for surgery when my wife forgot what she was there for so the dr wouldn’t help her as possible get medical power of attorney
After getting medical power I took her to my eye dr and her eye are working great

REPLY
1 reply
Teri | @tsc | Jan 22 1:47pm
In reply to @ndclayt41 "We went through this we were schedule for surgery when my wife forgot what she was..." + (show)
@ndclayt41

We went through this we were schedule for surgery when my wife forgot what she was there for so the dr wouldn’t help her as possible get medical power of attorney
After getting medical power I took her to my eye dr and her eye are working great

Jump to this post

I'm glad it worked out, @ndclay41

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.