Hello, I joined this forum over a year ago but haven't been back since as I found it too hard to deal with the issues of my Dad having AD, I have been suffering from postnatal depression made worse my Dad's ill health.
Anyhow, Dad is in the late stages of Alzheimer's. He has been in hospital since March for assessment, ended up with a broken femur and MRSA (but that's another story, sigh...) and two weeks ago we were told that there is nothing else that can be done for him other than keeping him comfortable and pain free. He was transferred to a nursing home for palliative care about 10 days ago and is fading fast, I'm in tears even typing this. He now hasn't eaten for about 3-4 weeks other than the occasional mouthful of food which he usually spits back out, he is also drinking minute amounts very infrequently and is even having trouble taking medication. He has lost so much weight that it is painful even to look at him, is completely bedbound, unable to speak or communicate and is basically an empty shell. It os breaking my heart seeing him like this and seeing the pain my Mum is going through losing her partner/husband of almost sixty years.
No one will actually come out and say "oh yes he's dying" but it's obvious. Does anyone know, in general/average, how long AD patients tend to live once they have ceased eating and drinking? Any other advice or experiences would be hugely appreciated. I just want to know how long I have left with him although I realise that that is a question no one can answer directly.
Kate x
Anyhow, Dad is in the late stages of Alzheimer's. He has been in hospital since March for assessment, ended up with a broken femur and MRSA (but that's another story, sigh...) and two weeks ago we were told that there is nothing else that can be done for him other than keeping him comfortable and pain free. He was transferred to a nursing home for palliative care about 10 days ago and is fading fast, I'm in tears even typing this. He now hasn't eaten for about 3-4 weeks other than the occasional mouthful of food which he usually spits back out, he is also drinking minute amounts very infrequently and is even having trouble taking medication. He has lost so much weight that it is painful even to look at him, is completely bedbound, unable to speak or communicate and is basically an empty shell. It os breaking my heart seeing him like this and seeing the pain my Mum is going through losing her partner/husband of almost sixty years.
No one will actually come out and say "oh yes he's dying" but it's obvious. Does anyone know, in general/average, how long AD patients tend to live once they have ceased eating and drinking? Any other advice or experiences would be hugely appreciated. I just want to know how long I have left with him although I realise that that is a question no one can answer directly.
Kate x