Mr. Brown is a 99-year old gentleman who was living alone in his own apartment when the Care Manager first met him four years ago.  He was totally blind in one eye, nearly blind in the other, and very frail.  He never married and has no children, however he has a niece living out-of-state who cares deeply about him.  When she called Rona Bartelstone Care Management four years ago, she was very concerned about her uncle’s eyesight and his ability to cope on his own.  He did not have cognitive impairment, although his niece described him as quite “stubborn.”

Initially, he did not want any help and was adamant that he be left alone.  The Care Manager convinced him to at least get an emergency response system and he allowed her to visit him periodically.  During these visits, they developed a trusting relationship and he allowed her to help when necessary.

A few months after their initial meeting, Mr. Brown called the Care Manager and said that his “good” eye was getting worse.  After discussing the situation with him and his niece, he agreed with the Care Manager’s recommendation to go to local Eye Institute for a consultation.  The Care Manager took him and stayed with him through the next several appointments.  The surgeon discussed all options with Mr. Brown and the Care Manager.  The only chance (and it was by no means a good chance) to save any of his vision at all would be to have a cornea transplant—a very serious operation, particularly given his age.  After much consideration and talks with the Care Manager and his niece, he insisted on having the surgery, stating that if it didn’t work, he would be blind anyway.  He had the surgery and came through it remarkably well.

For the next year he had help around–the-clock, as the recovery time was long and trying.  A fall could have undone the surgery.  As it was, he had to go to the local Eye Institute every 6-weeks to have one or two stitches out over an 18-month period.  It was almost two years before the healing process was complete.  He now has minimal vision in that eye and will probably not become totally blind.

During the past year, he has moved to a new apartment, has help 12-hours a day, and insists on being alone at night.  He is little older, a little frailer, and still stubbornly independent, but managing to remain on his own a little bit longer.