Over the course of the last week, my dad's mental health has deteriorated remarkably.
He sleeps almost all of the time. His brain no longer understands hunger or thirst. He's losing weight even when he's fed and was dehydrated yesterday.
It's not clear that he recognizes us.
Yet, his heart and lungs are remarkably healthy for a man of his age.
It's heartbreaking to see him in this state. We're making decisions about his care, not knowing if he'll be like this for days or if he will linger.
Sometimes, people continue in this state for more than a year.
The emotional toll of this is unbelievable for the family, though mom, in the midst of her own journey with dementia, doesn't seem to grasp the reality of dad's decline.
It's surprising to know how many people have had this experience with their own parents and can be sympathetic.
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