As someone who has a living Grandpa with Alzheimers, I find this question enticing. We have constant family discussions on what is the best thing for Grandpa and his health. My mom currently has power of attorney over my Grandpa and his decisions. With his doctor stating that he is no longer capable of making conscious decisions, so we now are the primary signers of any form of consent. This includes treatments, medication, and research studies. I believe that a research should not gain informed consent from someone who does not have the mental capability to do so. Even if it could POSSIBlY cure them, they have no idea of the risk factors of the actual procedure. If someone has the power of attorney and is looking out for the best interest
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We left it alone for as long as possible because he was in so much pain the last time. Unfortunately it had gotten to the point it was infected and we needed to take action. With my mom having power of attorney at this point, we had to make one of three decisions on the operation to remove the cancer without harming him or increasing his Alzheimer's. 1) just clean it up the best they can and clean the infection, will mostly return. 2) use general anesthesia, and go in and surgically remove ALL the cancer. 3) use local anesthesia, and go in and surgically remove ALL the cancer. Now it might seem pretty clear the #1 was not in the best interest of him, but you're probably wondering why so much thought on #2 &3? This is where I believe someone who cannot make a decision on their own, should not be asked for consent. #2 General anesthesia, puts you complete under during operations, whereas #3 they give you a shot in the area and you remain awake. The concern was that the doctors told us that #2 may cause the Alzheimer's to worsen, or even leave him unconscious. With hi mind slowly degenerating the likelihood of him returning to normal after anesthesia would be very
We left it alone for as long as possible because he was in so much pain the last time. Unfortunately it had gotten to the point it was infected and we needed to take action. With my mom having power of attorney at this point, we had to make one of three decisions on the operation to remove the cancer without harming him or increasing his Alzheimer's. 1) just clean it up the best they can and clean the infection, will mostly return. 2) use general anesthesia, and go in and surgically remove ALL the cancer. 3) use local anesthesia, and go in and surgically remove ALL the cancer. Now it might seem pretty clear the #1 was not in the best interest of him, but you're probably wondering why so much thought on #2 &3? This is where I believe someone who cannot make a decision on their own, should not be asked for consent. #2 General anesthesia, puts you complete under during operations, whereas #3 they give you a shot in the area and you remain awake. The concern was that the doctors told us that #2 may cause the Alzheimer's to worsen, or even leave him unconscious. With hi mind slowly degenerating the likelihood of him returning to normal after anesthesia would be very