My 96 year old parent

age

by Tracey_E - 2024-08-24 12:59:29

I would say it's his overall health that's more important than his age. A heart rate of 40 is pretty low and will leave him very tired. It's a minor surgery with an fairly easy recovery. If the fatigue is affecting his quality of life, if he's healthy enough for the anesthesia (usually a local or conscious sedation, never a general), then I'd say go for it. If he's more frail, then I would discuss the pros and cons with his doctor, possibly get a second opinion. 

My grandpa had both knees replaced at age 90. He was otherwise healthy and active, and the forced inactivity was making him crazy. Rehab wasn't easy, but he attacked it with the zest he did for everything else in his life, and he recovered fully. In his case, it was well worth it even tho something like that is rarely attempted, much less successful, at that age. 

Pacemakers in the very old

by Julros - 2024-08-24 14:21:54

Tracey is spot on. Dealing with profound bradycardia can be rough. It can make you tired, feel like you are in a fog, and leave you short of breath with the slightest exertion. A pacer is not going to prolong life, but could improve quality of life. 

I remember when I was a nurse taking care of a 90 something year old woman. She lived alone, in a cabin heated with a wood stove. It took some convincing by the doctor that she had to refrain from chopping wood for 4 weeks. 

Hi

by Lavender - 2024-08-24 19:03:17

My friend got a pacemaker at age 90. No problems for him and a quick recovery. He said the pacemaker never bothered him. 

Welcome

by Andiek11 - 2024-08-24 20:29:09

At 96 it is fair game to consider quality of life vs quantity of life - much as you're doing.  And as others have discussed so much depends upon your dad's current state of both mental and physical health.

A person's age by itself is not the only factor these days.  Very important to look at the whole person.  When my dad was 92, the cardiologist wanted to do a TAVR to address a valve issue. MD said the procedure was minimally invasive and would improved his breathing. But after talking with my dad, siblings and the MD, we went w/ my dad's preference to not have this procedure done.  His quality of life was already poor and even the MD admitted that the procedure whlle keeping him alive would not significantly improve his quality of life.  And then there were the risks of anasthesia which were high for him. My dad was at peace with his life coming to a close which it did several months later.  In my mind one of the most loving and important gifts I ever gave my dad was the gift of listeneing to what he wanted - and why - and doing my best to honor his wishes.  If he's have said, "Let's go for it," I'm sure we would have honored his wishes that way too.  

Thanks for being a loving and involved daughter.  If the PM is right for your dad and his life, I hope it brings him (and you), all that you're after.  

Pacemakers and age

by Selwyn - 2024-08-26 15:08:09

Plenty of older people receive pacemakers.

It is all about symptom resolution and personal preference. I expect if there is a risk of sudden death there is a choice of how you want to make an exit. Death and taxes are the only certainties in life!

I cycle with a 93 year old man. I play table tennis with an 87 year old man. 

Here on Merseyside we have the oldest male in the world (112). 

Age is a number. Fitness is something else.

Leadless pacemaker

by Amyelynn - 2024-08-26 21:31:23

From what I understand leadless pacemakers are easier to recover from. As they are not as intrusive to place and also recovery is about less restrictive. Maybe this is an option for your dad?

good luck!