Originally Posted by
GhostRider62
I took care of a loved one 24/7 in her last 2-3 years of life, she did not even recognize me. If I had the choice and were her, I would not wanted to be alive but that isn't really an option in that state of mind. I figure to start drinking and smoking cigars at 80 and go out that way.
My father lived for 11 years after a stroke took away his brilliant and baritone voice. The last two were bedridden with many emergency hospital visits. I asked him several times if he was ready to go but knowing his cognitive state, I could not trust the answer. My greatest fear is winding up in the same situation and am formulating a simple test that my loved ones can use to make that difficult decision. It will something along the lines of, "If I can't recite the alphabet and handle my own bowels, it's time for me to go."