Yeah, my mother has some dementia, and both my grandmother and uncle on her side had similar issues, although fast-onset alzheimers in my uncle's case. I think my family is preparing for the worst, but so far in my mother's case there hasn't been any signs that it's going to be a fast deterioration (all her symptoms are linked to her short-term memory, and while her short term memory is getting worse, there aren't new symptoms).
For us, one of the most difficult questions is weighing length of life with quality of life. My parents have lived all their life on their farm; they have a hard time seeing themselves being happy in any sort of facility. Is it better giving to insist on the absolute best care possible, even if that means they aren't happy? Or is it better try to give them the support necessary to continue to live on their farm for as long as possible? Fortunately, we're not at a point yet where that decision needs to be made, but there probably will be a time for it.
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