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Joined: 12/2/2019
Posts: 5
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I'm new here. Thank you in advance for your responses!
Mom has major cognitive disorder, along with various physical ailments. She still enjoys a lot of what life has to offer and has been pretty stable. However, she was recently diagnosed with wet AMD. She has lost most of the vision in her left eye. We may be able to stall the progression in her right eye. The treatment involves putting various drops in her eye, including numbing, and then a needle. Mom needs to cooperate to get this essential treatment, but won't allow the doctor to treat her. She never appreciated people telling her what to do and that aspect of her personality certainly hasn't changed. I understand her anxiety and concern. What can my Dad and I do to help facilitate this treatment? Your suggestions are welcome!
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Joined: 12/12/2011
Posts: 4812
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My uncle had the same situation with macular degeneration. They could not do anything for the one eye, but they gave him shots for awhile and put him on PreserVision for the other eye. That helped stabilize the "good" eye until he had majory surgery and they took him off the vitamin and mineral mixture for about nine days. He suffered substantial loss of vision while he was off PreserVision. I think PreserVision is for dry eye macular degeneration so it may not be an alternative in your mother's case.
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/vitamins-amd
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Joined: 3/6/2017
Posts: 2256
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I would consult with her neurologist and perhaps add a geriatric psychiatrist for medication management if you decide to move forward.
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Joined: 6/20/2016
Posts: 2340
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Sometimes it's just not possible to treat a disease if the patient won't cooperate. It may end up being a case of preparing for her to lose her vision completely.
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Joined: 12/2/2019
Posts: 5
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Thank you all for your feedback!
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Joined: 4/22/2017
Posts: 321
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My father was horrified when he realized he would go blind without the injections. One eye had little vision left (he could only see the big E) before he was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration in both eyes.
Think of it this way. If you believe that caregiving for a demented LO is difficult, imagine what what it would be like if your mother were blind. Tell your mother that. "Mom, you will go blind if you don't let the doctor give you the injections. If you go blind because you refuse to get the injections, Dad and I will no longer be able to care for you at home."
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Joined: 12/2/2019
Posts: 5
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@BadMoonRising We are trying for the treatment again tomorrow morning with the help of some Ativan. My dad and I are terrified about the possibility of functional blindness, but she doesn't seem all that concerned. She has said absolutely no so far to a needle. I can understand her anxiety, but she seems unable to weigh the pros and cons and get past it. She can't see even the big E with her left eye. We are trying to save whatever vision she has remaining in her right eye. She's always been pretty stubborn and difficult to reason with and this isn't any different. Thanks for your support!
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Joined: 12/2/2019
Posts: 5
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TThank you all so much for your input! After some straight talk, some prayers, and a little Atavin, Mom got her treatment today! I appreciate your help and support.
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Joined: 3/6/2017
Posts: 2256
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Great update
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Joined: 12/2/2019
Posts: 5
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One more important note - my dad and I each held one of her hands. This served two purposes - first and foremost to provide comfort, but also this kept her from touching the area around her eye. I held a tissue and dabbed her check if she felt wetness on it. We will definitely continue to do this for each treatment.
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