My husband doesn't even know who he is and is eating and drinking less. I try not to force food, water. I do not want to put him in a "rest home"....I have never seen one that I would put a relative. I am the caregiver 24/7 with help from hospice. Their nurses, aides, volunteers and social workers are so much help and they are offering me respite for 5 days. I really need it. He is no company as he doesn't know the decade he is in and he is always talking and planning trips. He also "sees dead people". But it seems to me that he is quite strong. I don't wish him gone, I just would like to see him have peace. He doesn't seem to know he has a left side that is paralyzed and insists for as long as 10 to 12 hours at a time that he can walk and I am keeping him from getting out of bed. Then he becomes mean. I am perplexed. Anyone else have a problem like this?
I'm so sorry, I know this is not an easy situation to be in. Its hard to see our love ones suffer. This is a very difficult question. There are so many factors. My dad seemed to stop eating and drinking for half a year, but too was also very strong. Three years after his stroke it was heart failure that eventually caused his death. He was told he had a heart failure on a Wednesday and died on a Friday. The doctor told him he had 6 months to one year. Maybe check with the hospice nurse, hopefully they can assist you more with this questions. My dad was weakened over all after his stroke. But in my mind, I felt all his new meds also played a role in weakening him as well. It caused him to have no appetite and he almost starved to death. I know there is a lot on your shoulders right now. Thinking of you and hope you can get some respite care to recover a little.
Once someone has experienced a stroke the cause has to be found and treatment to help prevent a recurrence is essential.
Their actuary tables tell them that 95% do not make it that far.
It is soooo hard. Good thoughts coming your way...