My Mum sadly passed away on Jan 23rd after a 6 yr battle with alzheimers. She was only 67. She had a little stumble just after Xmas and then was simply not interested in eating or drinking. I do not believe she made a concious decision that "she'd had enough" and "wanted to go." I just think she was reaching that stage in the disease were she had "forgotten" how to swallow.

The many doctors, nurses and care assistants that came to their home to care for her in the last couple of weeks were abolutley amazing. We couldn't have faulted them. We could have kept her going for many weeks praps mths on a minimum diet of what we could force into her but we made the decision that this would only prolong it for her and all of us. This was suggested to us by several professionals and therefore they fully supported us. It was a very hard decision to make but deep down we knew it was the right one. At the time tho we did question it as u are effectively allowing your mum to starve to death. It sounds so bad but I know many of you would have done the same and have unfortunately had to do so. She could barely communicate the last few yrs and now couldn't support her own body weight.

Se died after 11 days. She had minimum pain control and I was there along with my dad, my brother and his girlfriend. She was comfortable in a hospital bed.

The funeral went well (if that sounds right!) and my brother and I did a joint euology. We managed to get through it without breaking down. And I viewed it as the last thing I could do for my mum after helping care for her with my dad.

I have posted about this briefly on here before - around 18mths ago my dad started a relationship with an old friend. I was and am in full support of him. He cared for my mum fantastically for 6yrs, I couldn't fault him. They were together for 46yrs, totally loyal to one another. My feeling is life is for living, he needed a break. He could have put in her a home to continue this relationship.

I met her a few weeks ago and she is really nice. She too lost her husband 2yrs ago so her feelings are still quite raw. We talked about this weird situation and have "cleared the air" (not that their was any air to clear!). I know this will seem very insenitive to be in support of my dad. I can't really explain it but all I know that all his and my friends are in support too. I am happy that he is happy and he is getting on with his life, doing all the things he was unable to do for the past 6yrs.