Not intending to hijack this thread but,
We are dealing with 2 parents with dimentia and it is sooo... sad. Medical technology can keep our bodies alive well beyond what nature intended.
Blessings come in many forms.
It was a blessing in a way that my little brother never left home, he was there to care for her in the beginning. My sister lives in Reno, and I live in Texas...mom lived in OR.
Three summers ago, we all went to visit, it was heartbreaking that she no longer recognized any of us. At least she met her great grandson the year previous to that.
One indication we picked up was that her mind had taken her to 1942, when she was 14-15 years old. From that experience, I told my kids to "put me away" if I ever constantly tell stories about my summer of 1979.
Apologies for the thread hijack, but it was one of the most memorable summers of my life. I was TDY at a German anti-aircraft range in northern Germany. We were the only Americans for 200 miles, and I made many friends in a nearby town that came alive during the summer.
I was the Executive Officer, and I was often left in charge, as the CO returned home often (400 miles away) due to family problems. We had a great group of NCOs and soldiers, made my job easy. The aftermath of that summer would set the stage for additional experiences, which obviously are interesting only to myself...lol.
My oldest kids have heard a few of those stories, as they are both in the late 20s. Son #2 is nearly 15, too young to hear anything other than the military side of it.