Yes, he had lucid moments, but had lost executive function. He had episodes of hallucinations, particularly when hospitalized during a Parkinson’s crisis.
The noises, the crying out of others in neighboring rooms, a constantly changing staff - all were extremely disruptive to someone who couldn’t move at all, was easily confused, and felt defenseless.
These hospitalizations led to weeks in rehab, to try to help him regain the functions he lost because of a crisis. Hospitals and Rehab facilities are not equipped to deal with the particular needs of Parkinson’s patients.
Parkinson’s meds, in order to work, must be given within very controlled parameters. Too close before or after a meal, and they will not be absorbed properly, and will not work.
Hospitals and rehab facilities find it almost impossible to co-ordinate meals and meds for these patients, particularly when they have to take their Parkinson’s meds 5 or 6 times a day, on a rigid schedule to control the symptoms.
I was his care-giver for 10 years, and knew how to manage this all with the help of a timer app. I could prepare his favorite foods, drinks, and could play his favorite music and tv shows. I did have some help - a dedicated young man who would help me with shaving, changing him, and repositioning him to prevent bedsores was available in our senior living facility, and could come when I needed his help.
A 10 mg morphine tablet to control pain is a minimal dose, and it was only given during episodes of pain, not on a regular schedule. Dying cancer patients require doses 10 to 20 times higher then that. I know because I was afraid of giving him morphine, and asked.
If you haven’t had direct experience with a loved one dying from this horrible disease, (even worse than Alzheimer’s, in my opinion) you have no right to judge how they “should” be treated.
You obviously have a strong opinion, but I do not think you have a very well-informed one. To suggest that my husband was “euthanized” is extremely insensitive, if not cruel.
Your post was really appreciated.
It’s hard.
Parkinson’s is very different than Alzheimer’s or other age related dementias.
I think that each individual end of life is different and you used yours to advocate for a euthanasia solution (euthanasia is the proper term for it and ought not have negative connotations if you have no problems with it).
I think you crossed a line in your post in to advocacy, beyond just sharing experiences.
I don’t think anyone should do that, and perhaps you didn’t mean to advocate euthanasia as first or only moral choice, but what you wrote sure did seem demeaning and insulting to those who choose to treat loved ones and spend as much time with them as possible.
It’s not torture.