Ian Chubb’s story in P and I last week is a familiar one to all health and aged care professionals involved in the care of people with dementia. He described the terminal stages of his wife’s dementia and his anger that they were unable to terminate her illness at an earlier stage.
Dementia is now the most common cause of death for women and the second most common cause for men. The illness can last for up to 15 years or more.
The last years can be undignified for the person with dementia and excruciating for the family. Many children are unable to visit their parent in a residential aged care facility because they find the experience intolerable to bear.
In the last years, the person with dementia is typically bedfast and incontinent. Communication can be minimal or non-existent and they may no longer recognise their spouse or children.
Many family members will express the view that they wish their own life to be........