Dying from Dementia, Suffering Often Unnecessary

This discussion and research on Dying with Dementia and the unnecessary care that often accompanies the late stages of dementia is worth discussing and considering.ByAlzheimer's Reading RoomThis topic is often overlooked and avoided until it is too late.I believe these issues should be considered, and when possible,discussed in support groups. This information is worth sharing and discussing with family members.Learn More -Coping with Alzheimer'sSince individuals with advanceddementia cannot report their symptoms, these symptoms often are untreated, leaving them vulnerable to pain, difficulty breathing and various other conditions.We shouldn't allow these people to suffer. We should be providingpalliative care to make them more comfortable in the time they have left. Topic -Hospice Care, Palliative CareAs a teenager, I had the unfortunate but ultimately career-shaping experience of watching my maternal grandmother decline from Alzheimer's disease.  She resided in a nursing home, where her final months were marked by repeated courses of antibiotics for infections and the use of restraints or medications to control her agitation before she died from one last infection.  Seeing my grandmother in that state was so distressing that my mother eventually stopped taking the grandchildren to visit. My grandmother had little in the way of either comfort or company toward the end.  ~Greg A. Sachs, M.D.Topic -Dying from Dementia, Suffering Often Unneces...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Neurology Tags: Alzheimer's Dementia assisted living and memory care facility care homes for elderly with dementia care of dementia patients care of dementia patients at home dementia care elderly dementia care Source Type: blogs