Elderly Dad - cataract operation - aftercare

Marmaduke123

The only issue is the eye drops. If he cant do them himself is there some kind neighbour who will help him? Certainly no reason to stay in hospital. Cataract surgery is just a quick outpatient procedure now

missbiggles1

margaretclare wrote: »

What patch? We had no patch. The only thing advisable would be a pair of sun-glasses, as the light can be extremely bright afterwards, especially for the first few hours.

My husband had his cataract done this afternoon so this is a very topical thread for me. He's got a patch and can take it off tomorrow when we start the drops. He's also been advised to wear something over his eye for the next few days when he's in bed.

missbiggles1

Marmaduke123 wrote: »

The only issue is the eye drops. If he cant do them himself is there some kind neighbour who will help him? Certainly no reason to stay in hospital. Cataract surgery is just a quick outpatient procedure now

It's a lot to ask a neighbour to do. IIRC there are 5 or 6 different drops to be put in 3 or 4 times a day!

Alter_ego

Rambosmum wrote: »

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.

I think you missed a zero off that price!

lostinrates

Marmaduke123 wrote: »

The only issue is the eye drops. If he cant do them himself is there some kind neighbour who will help him? Certainly no reason to stay in hospital. Cataract surgery is just a quick outpatient procedure now

I am younger than op's father , but I imagine just as obstreperous.

No way in heaven, earth or hell would 'some kind of neighbour' be putting drops in my eye.

Its hard enough not to kick up a fuss when a nurse does it at eye clinic. I'm reasonably 'tough'. I've done some quite 'tough' stuff to myself as far as medical care goes. But a neighbour putting drops in my eye.....nope, not a reasonable solution.

Marmaduke123

missbiggles1 wrote: »

It's a lot to ask a neighbour to do. IIRC there are 5 or 6 different drops to be put in 3 or 4 times a day!

OH had 2nd cataract surgery today. As before, 2 types of drops, one 4 times daily, one twice daily, can be done at the same time with a couple of minutes between. Depends how well you know the neighbours I guess. Still no reason for a hospital stay

missbiggles1

Marmaduke123 wrote: »

OH had 2nd cataract surgery today. As before, 2 types of drops, one 4 times daily, one twice daily, can be done at the same time with a couple of minutes between. Depends how well you know the neighbours I guess. Still no reason for a hospital stay

I totally agree about not needing a hospital stay.

I've just checked the meds bag and not as many as I thought as one of them is the drops needed before the op. However, there are still 4 different drops needed to be done 3 times a day with a 5 minute gap between each. 2 of them are for only 10 days the other 2 are for a month.

Given that you have to get properly washed up before giving them, that still seems to me too much to ask a neighbour to do, however well you know them. Just as well they've got us to look after them, isn't it?:)

Hope your OH's results are good, my husband has been really worrying about it and has put it off for 3 years until he couldn't see to read. I expect he'll be relieved after he sees the Ophthalmologist for a quick check tomorrow.

BrassicWoman

I think your dad will do whatever he wants and no amount of suggestions will change that; so best let him get on with it.

GlasweJen

You can pay to go private, it would be £3,000 for the surgery (per eye) plus the cost of the care afterwards. Or you could put dad up in a hotel near you for a few days, or you could stay at a hotel near dad.

Cataract operation complications are so rare I certainly wouldn't bank on one happening and no hospital on the planet will keep him without a clinical need. Half an hour after his surgery he will have vastly Improved vision compared to whar he walked in with.

Savvy_Sue

Rambosmum wrote: »

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.

More to the point, I suspect Paul's father won't want to pay for anything. Even if he can afford it.