Elderly Dad - cataract operation - aftercare

ognum

oystercatcher wrote: »

I had cataract surgery on both eyes last year , the op's were 4 months apart. I could barely see anything from the worst eye which they operated on first, the difference was amazing, instant and improved even more over the next few months.

I had to wear a clear plasic eye shield for the rest of that day and then at night for a week, just to protect the eye from accidental rubbing friction etc.

Eye drops were needed 4 times a day for a month, could be difficult for some people.

No heavy lifting for the first week. Otherwise normal activities.

I very much doubt they would admit someone to hospital after th is operation unless they had very significant problems.
When I was nursing in the early '80's they used to admit patients for a week after cataract surgery. Times have changed!

I also had exactly to his care plan.

puppypants

"If he can't have care from friends or family maybe he could go into a respite bed at a residential home. this would of couse have a cost implication but would definitely be a better place to be than hospital."

This is a very good idea, it will give him a couple of days respite with someone cooking his meals, etc and someone to instill any eye drops as needed. Also a bit of company for him.x

BarryBlue

My father had a cataract operation about 15 years ago when he was 85. He also had sight in only that one eye and consequently he was actually in the hospital for 4 nights. I suspect that now he would be packed off home even though he would be completely unable to see at that point.

suki1964

Errata wrote: »

MY Bold: There can be every need to keep someone in overnight or even for a few days, generally there isn't but it does happen if there's a clinical reason for it.

Now thats really nit picking

From the OPs previous postings on his father it seems other then the fact he cant walk to far,(and set in his ways) he is totally self caring and in good mental health So I really wouldnt be seeing why there was a need to keep him in. As others posted, you walk in and walk out with near on perfect vision restored

My own step dad's journey to and from the hospital took longer then the actual op. His only problem after was his glasses were no longer suited for him and he had to go for new ones

His second op took less time then the first as they had changed the procedure in between times ( he had a long wait between eyes as he had diabetes and a very bad heart, had to get a pacemaker replaced inbetween ops)

margaretclare

oystercatcher wrote: »

I had cataract surgery on both eyes last year , the op's were 4 months apart. I could barely see anything from the worst eye which they operated on first, the difference was amazing, instant and improved even more over the next few months.

I had to wear a clear plasic eye shield for the rest of that day and then at night for a week, just to protect the eye from accidental rubbing friction etc.

Eye drops were needed 4 times a day for a month, could be difficult for some people.

No heavy lifting for the first week. Otherwise normal activities.

I very much doubt they would admit someone to hospital after this operation unless they had very significant problems.
When I was nursing in the early '80's they used to admit patients for a week after cataract surgery. Times have changed!

It was a completely different type of surgery at that time. They also used to wait until the cataract 'ripened' and you could be nearly blind by then. Not only times that have changed, but the techniques of surgery.

pelirocco

My mum 84 had a cataract removed a few weeks ago , She lives alone came home straight away , if anything having the OP made her life easier , there was no nursing needed

Rambosmum

If your father is medically fit he will not be admitted, regardless of his circumstances. People are only admitted for medical reasons. If I were you I wouldn't want him in for longer than the operation - older people who are admitted to hospital are at risk of hospital acquired infections such as pneumonia, MRSA etc which could leave him in hospital for months, if he ever came out, as many lose so much functionality that they then require residential care. Staying in hospital longer than medically necessary also causes functional decompensation, where older people simply forget to do really basic things such eat at the right time, use their cooker, even when they have no memory impairment. Cost isn't the only reason NHS tries to keep people out of hospital.

As an alternative you could, prior to your father's operation, call his local social services department who may offer intermediate home support - where a carer comes to see him a few times a day, helps him wash, dress, take his meds, cook a hot meal, etc until they feel he is able to manage independently again.

They may alternatively consider respite, in a nursing home, however this has a cost implication (around £125 per week, none means tested) and present some of the same issues as a stay in hospital so is avoided unless necessary.

You could by-pass the middle man and organise your own care agency to visit for a few days, but this would be privately funded at a cost of around £12 per hour- most agency's use about 45mins for showering and dressing, 15 mins for lunch, 20 mins for a microwave meal for tea, 15mins to help someone go to bed.

All of this however requires your fathers consent, and if he has capacity and says he doesn't want any of it then no one can force him to accept it.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I know two people who have had cataracts done recently.

Both were fine, had absolutely no issues other than finding the sunshine a bit bright on the way home. One had both eyes done at once so she could get back to work on the Monday. Extra care didnt come into it.

Your dad is quite needy and likes other people looking after him even when it isn't necessary (like doing his washing, wanting you to drive him places rather than catch a cab, that kind of thing). He probably would enjoy himself being in hospital when he doesn't need to be. But that's not medical need. Which is the only reason he could be in hospital for more than the afternoon.

wannabe_sybil

I suggest that you get an independent talk with the hospital doing the op to confirm what they think is necessary.

Then I suggest that you are very clear with your father what you will or will not do and stick to it as much as possible.

Good luck!

gettingtheresometime

[quote=[Deleted User];68566473]To be honest, I dont really care what it costs the NHS.
I know full well what bed blocking is and this is not it. Staying in hospital when its more appropriate for his wellbeing is fair enough.

BTW- you don't know my personal situation and neither is it any of your business.

Please go and cause an argument elsewhere. Seems to be your thing on this forum.[/QUOTE]

Paul


You really do take the biscuit.No wonder this country is going down the pan with attitudes like this flying around

If you can't look after him yourself then have the decency to book him into a nursing home for some after care.