Expert: Paula Damgaard - 4/18/2009

Question
Hello,
My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer 9 years now.  I would like to know what stage you would place him in, and of course I would like to know how much longer this will go on.

He cannot speak, not one word, cannot dress himself, is fully incontinent both bowel and urine. (has been for 2 years) recognizes no one, does still ambulate very slowly but only when prompted to do so and has to have help. feeds himself with help, gets strangled on liquid but not all the time.

Jennifer

Please tell me what you think.

Answer
Hi Jennifer, what I think and this is only what I think from what you have shared is that he is in the end stages of the disease.  How long this will last, is only for God to know.  

There are several factors which could influence this: how healthy is he?  Are you making sure he has flu/pneumonia vaccines every year?  Do you treat him for every infection he gets?  If so then STOP.  

All you are doing is making sure he stays healthy so that he can "live longer healthier".  Not giving him any kind of quality of life.  You have the right to tell the doctors that you are done.  That you only want him to have comfort care.  To make them stop all these medicines.  Used to be that pneumonia was "the old peoples' friend" because we didn't have these high powered antibiotics, so they would get pneumonia and die from it.  It as a very peaceful, quiet dignified death.  Now we treat them and they keep on living, tho I would hardly call it that.  

This is not an easy decision to make, but it sure is worth it in the long run.  There are worse things than death.  

I hope this helps you.  Please take care of yourself and know that you are not alone in this walk.  Paula