I am interested in reading experiences of primary caregivers of a dying parent.

[handmade34]

29. My father

passed on July 31. He had dementia and I had quit my job months earlier to care for him as my brother was living in Michigan. My brother had been distant in our life for many years but I kept him up to date on Dad's status. My brother drove out a week before he passed (just in time for our Dad to recognize him) and I made sure he was with our dad the moment he died. I gave my brother the gift of closure and have no regrets or resentments. I have always figured we make our choices and for the most part we all do what we can... I was the strong one and willingly took the responsibility.

I will say though that I am eternally grateful to my father because he choose to end his life by refusing food and water... he was tired and life was too difficult for him to bear... he saved himself and all of us years of difficulty and pain as he was otherwise relatively healthy physically...