Dementia Sucks

[Demonslayer]

Are some things worse than death?

I fully believe so, death is a release from all pain almost no matter what spiritual standpoint you take.

If I ever get brain damage or have to choose between living and basically being trapped inside my brain without being able to speak, not be able to say I love my family and friends, be dependent on them for everything, I consider these things to be like Hell.

Me too. I watched my grandfather die over a period of 6 months in physical agony. In the end he died of gangrene so bad they couldn't change his bandages without putting him under anesthesia because he would shriek and scream just from being touched. Every time my father went to see him, grandpa would beg to die. I can't imagine why he's not legally allowed to do so.

Again, just curious sorry to divert the topic!

 

[OceanSoul]

For me the answer is in the question. Q: Is there an all powerful loving God who could easily allow your grandmother to die with grace, but choses to design her, and us all to, as Nietzsche so finely put it...force most of us to have to watch our loved ones forget who they were?

A: No. No, there is not.

After that acceptance of, and coping with, the sad condition is a tiny bit easier without all the hand-wringing, praying, and God O God why have you forsaken me, IMO. It's the human condition, we are physical beings who malfunction and die suddenly and decay sadly. There is no blame to be doled out, it just is. For all of us. If anything is our "destiny" its to help each other through and learn to accept the most difficult things in life.

Just blabbering, and I didn't mean to divert this thread into a God discussion. I've been in your shoes and am wishing you strength as you go through this.

I understand what you're saying, I appreciate hearing what your thoughts are. I'm all mixed up on God with all this going on around me.

 

[OceanSoul]

I fully believe so, death is a release from all pain almost no matter what spiritual standpoint you take.



Me too. I watched my grandfather die over a period of 6 months in physical agony. In the end he died of gangrene so bad they couldn't change his bandages without putting him under anesthesia because he would shriek and scream just from being touched. Every time my father went to see him, grandpa would beg to die. I can't imagine why he's not legally allowed to do so.

Again, just curious sorry to divert the topic!

That is awful! To get to the point where he'd rather die is heartbreaking. My condolences!

I know the Right to Die with Dignity is an important issue right now. Might start a thread on that later.

 

[Daemon Sophic]

Enough said. My Grandmother has it and I keep hoping for a cure to come in the future so other people don't have to go through it. Do you have any loved ones with Dementia or Alzheimer's?

My condolences. It is a very common situation you're in, yet seldom talked about in public. The patient at least has the benefit of not realizing what is happening (later in the process). Unfortunately the family/caregivers have to endure.
There has been innumerable studies on the topic of dementia (in paticular Alzheimer's disease). In neurology circles, "The Nun Study" is a cornerstone wherein hundreds of nuns volunteered to be studied and tested over many years as they grew old and eventually died, with donation of their brains for microscopic examination after their deaths.

Most research finds that living "healthy" (vegetarian/vegan diet, regular cardio exercise, social interaction, mental exercise (puzzles, studying, always learning)) throughout the years and decades before you get "old" are the best way to preserve mental function into your elder years.

Good luck to you @OceanSoul

 

[Vinayaka]

My Mom quit smoking. Forgot that she smoked.

 

[OceanSoul]

My condolences. It is a very common situation you're in, yet seldom talked about in public. The patient at least has the benefit of not realizing what is happening (later in the process). Unfortunately the family/caregivers have to endure.
There has been innumerable studies on the topic of dementia (in paticular Alzheimer's disease). In neurology circles, "The Nun Study" is a cornerstone wherein hundreds of nuns volunteered to be studied and tested over many years as they grew old and eventually died, with donation of their brains for microscopic examination after their deaths.

Most research finds that living "healthy" (vegetarian/vegan diet, regular cardio exercise, social interaction, mental exercise (puzzles, studying, always learning)) throughout the years and decades before you get "old" are the best way to preserve mental function into your elder years.

Good luck to you @OceanSoul

Indeed. I think it's unfortunate that Alzheimer's and Dementia isn't discussed more often, especially considering millions of people have it.

I am keeping my eye on the research you mention and hope more breakthroughs will come. Thanks.

 

[OceanSoul]

My Mom quit smoking. Forgot that she smoked.

Does smoking contribute to it? I know strokes and an unhealthy lifestyle can increase one's chance of developing either one.

 

[Vinayaka]

Does smoking contribute to it? I know strokes and an unhealthy lifestyle can increase one's chance of developing either one.

I'm not sure of the data on it, but I certainly believe it would. My Mother was a war vet, and started smoking back then, when everyone smoked and there was poor info on long term effects. She couldn't kick it, and was two packs a day. Booze, stress, diet, are all probably contributors. I believe it just makes everything happen sooner. I've witnessed dementia from strokes too. So you never know. Early onset Alzheimers is the worst. Way too young, and they can live for a long time.

 

[OceanSoul]

I'm not sure of the data on it, but I certainly believe it would. My Mother was a war vet, and started smoking back then, when everyone smoked and there was poor info on long term effects. She couldn't kick it, and was two packs a day. Booze, stress, diet, are all probably contributors. I believe it just makes everything happen sooner. I've witnessed dementia from strokes too. So you never know. Early onset Alzheimers is the worst. Way too young, and they can live for a long time.

That makes sense. Yeah smoking could be a factor for some people. I don't smoke, though my mother does.

Early onset of Alzheimer's is an unsettling thought O_O.

 

[Vinayaka]

Early onset of Alzheimer's is an unsettling thought O_O.

Very. In my mom's ward there was a younger man I had known (not well) and had wondered why he had 'disappeared' from his job, as a kid. Ten years later I found out.

 

[OceanSoul]

Very. In my mom's ward there was a younger man I had known (not well) and had wondered why he had 'disappeared' from his job, as a kid. Ten years later I found out.

Talk about having one's life ripped away from you.

 

[OceanSoul]

My grandfather passed away 2 days ago but had almost a completely nonfunctional memory due to brain cancer
They misdiagnosed the memory issues as symptoms of strokes he had been having so by the time he was on chemo it was terminal.

My condolences. *Hugs*

 

[Nietzsche]

My grandfather passed away 2 days ago but had almost a completely nonfunctional memory due to brain cancer
They misdiagnosed the memory issues as symptoms of strokes he had been having so by the time he was on chemo it was terminal.

This may give you some solace; brain cancer is basically terminal period.

 

[Nietzsche]

Get it written up legally, give it to a good lawyer, and let everyone know your wishes. Otherwise its quire possible that someone attached to your former self, hoping selfishly to get you back, will intervene. on your behalf. Just sayin'.

I'm not going to let it progress to the point that someone else has to do the deed for me.

 

[VioletVortex]

One of my great aunts has dementia. She always stares off into space, she just seems loopy in general.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

My mum has advanced dementia and it has been tough watching the gradual deterioration. She has now has no idea who I am, who she is or where she is.