| This can be one of the most difficult decisions you | | | | for herself, it was up to me. |
| may have to make as caregiver for your elderly | | | | So, how to decide? |
| parent, especially if dementia is involved. It's made | | | | Do research. Learn about the risks and benefits of |
| even harder because members of the medical | | | | the procedure. |
| community are trained to treat patients, not to avoid | | | | Ask questions. Does mom really need it? Will having |
| treatment when indicated. | | | | the procedure improve her quality of life? Is it life |
| My mom was 84 years old and got a small spot of | | | | threatening? How much fear, pain and trauma will dad |
| skin cancer on her face. Her gerontologist and I | | | | experience? What would he do if he were capable of |
| talked it over and decided to have it checked. When | | | | deciding for himself? What if she reacts to the |
| the dermatologist saw it, she immediately said "That | | | | anesthetic? An allergic reaction at her age combined |
| has to be treated!". I had done some research and | | | | with her frail health could become an emergency. |
| assumed Moh's surgery would be the plan, and that | | | | How long and hard will the recovery be? Who will |
| was what the doctor suggested. This surgery is very | | | | provide post procedure care? Do the benefits |
| effective with a high cure rate. It is usually an | | | | outweigh the risks and uncertainties? How will it |
| outpatient procedure with a local anesthetic. But | | | | affect his hospice care? Is this being done just |
| Moh's can take several hours and I knew mom was | | | | because it can be? |
| not aware enough to understand what was | | | | Make a list of the pros and cons. |
| happening to her. My decision was not only one of | | | | Discuss religious and spiritual beliefs. |
| outcome, but of need. As she was unable to decide | | | | Trust your instincts. |