Unfortunately my mother starting developing systems of dementia a few months after her 64th birthday. She was also on kidney dialysis for the last three years of her life. The last three years it just seemed like she was declining slowly, sometimes quickly. She had pretty bad stroke about 4 days before she died at the age of 67. Those years were not easy on my dad, who was my mom's primary caregiver. God bless the two ladies from the Visiting Nurse Association who came to stay with my mom several hours a week during those years so my dad could get out of the house. And bless my sister Karen, who came to my parents' house almost every Sunday morning to stay with my mom so that my dad could go to church.
I have a friend whose father died very unexpectedly and quickly of a massive heart attack about 18 years ago at the age of 70. The heart attack happened when he working at his part time job that he took after retirement. He was gone before the ambulance arrived at his workplace. The death was a shock to the family, but at least he went quickly. I don't know which way is better -- 3 years of gradual decline like my mom or going fast like my friend's dad?
With my dad being 83 but in pretty good health, I count my blessings. I have had a couple of coworkers tell me that my dad at his age should set up a medical power of attorney. Maybe they are right.
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