My dad is in the later stages of dementia and living in a care home. He was one of the unlucky ones who started to go down hill at age just 59. The reason for my post is that I am looking for anyone who has had experience with a particular stage of this horrid disease.
To sum up his current health:
- Cannot walk
- Cannot use hands
- Uses 'Yes' or 'No' sporadically as his only speech.
- Incontinent
- 'Emotionless' - no smiles, no anger.
- Completely dependent on every part of his life.
Two questions really:
1) He cried today. We think he is feeling something but how can we 'tap' into his thoughts when he is 'lockedin'.
2) What is left to deteriorate? He can swallow, although coughs a bit. Thats all he can do. How long can someone go on for? His pupils are constricted and no longer change size with light, one of the tests you will see in A&E following a brain trauma. It looks like vast parts of his brain are dead.
Just struggling to visualise the next part of this nightmare.
To sum up his current health:
- Cannot walk
- Cannot use hands
- Uses 'Yes' or 'No' sporadically as his only speech.
- Incontinent
- 'Emotionless' - no smiles, no anger.
- Completely dependent on every part of his life.
Two questions really:
1) He cried today. We think he is feeling something but how can we 'tap' into his thoughts when he is 'lockedin'.
2) What is left to deteriorate? He can swallow, although coughs a bit. Thats all he can do. How long can someone go on for? His pupils are constricted and no longer change size with light, one of the tests you will see in A&E following a brain trauma. It looks like vast parts of his brain are dead.
Just struggling to visualise the next part of this nightmare.