My father is 80, has vascular dementia and cerebral atrophy. He lives on the top floor of rented accommodation and has until now been, staunchly, living independently. However just this week it seems he's stopped going out and prefers to stay in bed. He has carers going in mon - fri a.m to prompt him to have breakfast (they provide it) and he has meals on wheels at lunchtime. He is no longer capable of conducting any meaningful conversation, has no interests, is not using money and is not washing - but up until now - he liked to just go out the door and walk. This week he has been refusing entry to carers with food - so me and my husband have to keep doing emergency food dashes as we know he won't have eaten any thing. He can be very aggressive and would not entertain going in to any type of care - is his impoverished existence preferable to being 'cared for'? I just don't know what is for the best. Does he have the right to chose to 'die in his boots' as his gp said to me a year ago - or do I have a duty of care to make sure his basic needs are met?