She is almost 88 years old and has mild dementia. She lives with me, and it's getting harder to get her up and dressed to go to eye doctor appointments. She had cataract surgery in both eyes several years ago. She has a favorite pair of glasses that she reads with and seems to get along fine and doesn't complain about any eye difficulties. Her last eye appointment went well. As her only child and a working single woman, I'm just not sure how many appointments she needs to actually be going to at her age. Doctor, yes; others, ??. Thanks for any help and suggestions!
As long as she's still reading and seeming to use her glasses, if they are prescription, I'd probably still get the annual exam. I noticed that with my LO, she started taking her glasses off, leaving them different places, and she no longer took interest in reading or watching tv. I'd take her lead and honor her wishes.
As for other doctors and how many times to go, well my Mom was 97 and still getting annual mammograms, it would take 2 techs to help Mom stand up at the machine, as she was small and frail. I knew every time I took her for her annual GYN appointment, she would have a script for that mammogram.
Mom also had annual appointments with her urologist.... her oncologist.... her dermatologist.... her foot doctor..... and every two months to the dentist due to her dentures.... and hearing aid doctor due to user error with her hearing aid..... and every two months with her primary doctor. All those appointments, and she passed away from complications of a serious fall.
at 88, mom's already beaten the actuarial tables for life, so she could be with you another 3, 6, 9… years.
And just pause to think what this would be like if she was blind atop everything else.
Also, on (occasional) days that she is still clear-minded, she consistently makes it known that she does NOT WANT to prolong her life. She has always had a very strong faith in God and therefore doesn't think it's necessary to keep going to doctors. It is no picnic to take her to appointments with her either grumbling over why must she deal with all this "fuss and bother"...or why am I here???
THOUGHTS??