Ummm, the friend was in for colon surgery -- not Alzheimer's. What the heck does the relative have to do with deciding who can visit him? Methinks Ms. Kimbrell is going to be a very wealthy old lady by the time this is all sorted out. She may even own the nursing home.
Just speculation. The guy is fairly well off. no kids. relative doesn't want a December-December marriage complicating wills and stuff.