Dementia

[Guest]

We are so sad. My father is 91 and severely demented. (Brain atrophy..not AD). He cannot see because of macular degeneration. He cannot dress or feed himself. He cannot walk or move from his bed to the wheelchair without assistance from two (TWO) attendents. He has double incontinance. He falls from his wheelchair when he is in a sitting position, so he is "tied" to the chair to keep him upright. He babbles complete nonsense, although every once in a while he is quite lucid in asking my husband and me, "Will this be my last day? I hope so. I don't want to go on anymore." Then, he reverts back to babbling. I wouldn't tell him the answer to his question even if I knew...but how much longer does he have? Can he be considered to be at the end stage? This is a painful time for all of us.

[Guest]

I am so so sorry to hear how hard it is for him, and for your family. It sounds like he is in very poor cognitive shape, which may or may not go along with being in very poor medical health. It often does follow, that if an individual deteriorates to a severely demented state and is extremely incapacitated at an advanced age, the situation will not likely continue for an extended period of time. I am being vague, only because there is not a clear answer to your question. His doctor may be able to provide pain medications, and treatments for the anxiety that may also sedate him and keep him more comfortable. Good health to your family in the future.
[quote] We are so sad. My father is 91 and severely demented... [/quote]

[Guest]

Thank you for your kind response. We are grateful that Dad tells us that he has no pain. We had never thought of medication for his anxiety, and we appreciate this suggestion.
Best,
Carolyn
[quote] We are so sad. My father is 91 and severely demented... [/quote]