Expert: Paula Damgaard - 3/11/2009

Question
My mother inlaw is 91 years old. She is in her last stages since of Dec 2008. We almost lost her then. She pulled through. That is one thing with alzheimers they are full of surprise for you. She has had alzheimers for 7 years and demina for 7 years. So she has been dealing with it many years. My question is why would when you feed her that she want to bite down on the spoon really hard. And when you give her drink with a straw she wants to bite on it and not let go either.
She done this often and on. But for the last 3 days she does it who ever time you feeds her. So if you have any input on this please write me. Thank you for your time. Daughter Inlaw.

Answer
Vickie, It is my opinion, that even though they may not be able to verbalize to you what they want they are still able to "send a message".  I think she is telling you she has had enough.  

Their bodies have gone back to infantile stages and this is behavior of an infant.  If you could go back 20 years and ask her if this is how she would like to be living today, can you really answer this question - oh yes she would definitely want to be living like this.  I doubt it.  

We as a society have become accustomed to giving people quantity of life, and have forgotten that quality should be the most important!  You say you almost lost her last year, can you really tell me that since then her quality of life has been the BEST?  

It is time to let God and Nature take its course.  Let her be in peace.  

Take care Paula