THE LAST STAGE

Stage 7 as defined by the Alzheimer's Association

Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer's disease)

This is the final stage of the disease when individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, the ability to speak and, ultimately, the ability to control movement. Frequently individuals lose their capacity for recognizable speech, although words or phrases may occasionally be uttered Individuals need help with eating and toileting and there is general incontinence of urine Individuals lose the ability to walk without assistance, then the ability to sit without support, the ability to smile, and the ability to hold their head up. Reflexes become abnormal and muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired. This is the stage that is the hardest for families, or at least it was for me.  I would sit and talk to my Dad and he'd just stare at the TV or the ceiling fan or what ever. It really stunk that I couldn't communicate with him at all.  He'd mumble sometimes  but that was about it.  I've put off this last stage because it's how I remember my Dad the most and I don't want to.  Although I have forced myself to think about times when he wasn't sick to get those images out of my head.  I remember the times when he and I would play basketball and when we'd ride bikes at our beach house and go to my grandmother's for breakfast almost every morning in the summer when he was on vacation.    Okay enough about that.  I do want to ask you all to keep praying for  Stellan, he and his family have had a time of it.  They are currently in Boston being seen by one of the top doctors in this field in the country.   Love & Blessings, Magnolia