Hard to tell...probably. We can talk just fine about things he built 50 years ago, but he can't retain facts from the present like no, that lady on the other side of the room is NOT Marilyn (his wife who passed away in Nov.) Or the electric razor isn't broken, it needs to charge up, then it will work. Two minutes later he's asking me again to take him to Walmart to exchange it.
It's really as much my problem, as it bothers me to see him this way, and worrying about how much worse it's going to become. Also it scares the crap out of me that in 22 years, I might be the same way??
My kid's great aunt who used to watch the youngest all the time started getting dementia at the end, but she could recall things that she did in the 40's and 50's like it was yesterday...
Mom and I had a talk about dying when she was battling cancer and her overweight condition was hindering her. She was stuck in a "fat body suit" that she couldn't get out of. She couldn't exercise to help loose weight because of the weight and arthritis and other body pains.
She had presence of mind until the day she died, but would have rather not. It was so discouraging for her to be stuck with a failing body and KNOW IT, and not be able to do anything about it. She would have rather had her mind go and not realize what was going on with her body....
Take the meds and enjoy the ride and not know what's happening to you, vs knowing what's happening to you and not be able to do anything about it was more frustrating.... I agree with her, that I would rather be clueless than helpless...
It's sad to know that you're dying and waiting for the suffering to the end, helpless...















