Today I visited my 93 year old father in law in his nursing home, we had the call on Friday to say that he’s almost at the end of his near 15 year battle with Alzheimer’s.
Me and the old boy had a bit of an awkward relationship, he was a rather uptight bloke with a quick temper…….I guess we we too alike in many respects.
I’ve rarely visited him whilst he’s been in care, my wife and her sister and my often wayward son have been the people who’ve done the hard
yards but today I wanted to go out of respect as much as anything.
He was asleep the whole time and he’s been mute for around three years now, he’s had no understanding of himself or other people for about five years but……the old b u g g e r looks as determined as ever.
He wasn’t a big bloke but he was small and wiry and worked physically hard all of his life and had a really tough streak that has clearly not deserted him even in dire circumstances.
I must admit I found a new level of admiration for the old chap, he had a look on his face that said….”I ain’t ready yet, you’ll have to wait until I’m good and ready!”
A word on his nursing home in Bilston as well.
Beautifully clean and well run with pleasant, efficient and engaged staff, if any of you are looking for somewhere for a relative I’d be happy to pass on details.
It’s the only home I’ve ever been in where there hasn’t been the stench of urine, this place was spotless and the room was light any airy.
It was heartening to see that someone’s final days could be in such a peaceful and well run establishment, if ever I end my days in such a place I’d hope it would be as nice.
The staff couldn’t give us any real idea of how long he might cling on, his food intake is now almost nil and he’s only taking in minute amounts of fluid by teaspoon?
I would’ve thought you can’t last more than a few days at most but one nurse said that someone recently had lasted three weeks without any intake of food or fluid.
Dubs, if you read this I’d value your opinion.
Reply With Quote