My Mom is 80 years old and has had AD for 12 years. She is now in the final stage of the disease. My Father took care of my Mother until he died four years ago and then I took over her care.

I am wondering if during the final stage of your loved ones AD did you allow antibiotics to be used?

Danak,
Are you working with a hospice? My understanding is they will help you with these decisions-- what will make the dying easier, what will only prolong suffering....

HI,
I am so sorry for your mom being in the 7th stage, I totally understand. If you are asking will it harm a person with AD to my knowledge it wont. Now I say this as I have had some experience with ad and now my mom too has gone into the 7th stage and currently is on Cipro as of monday of this week. But if you are asking if it will harm/cure her, her doctor should really be the best to advise this, as the last you want is for phenonia to set in, if it is upper respetory... This disease sure is difficult isnt it?? You didnt mention where or why the need for antibiotic was called. Wishing you well. bonnie Collins

My hospice doctor spoke to me about my dad possibly getting an infection. She wanted to prepare me, but daddy never developed one. She and I decided to just keep him comfortable, withhold antibiotics and let him pass more quickly. It might sound callous to others, but he was bed-ridden, totally unable to communicate, and becoming totally rigid up his body. Even if he had gotten an infection, it would have been difficult to watch, but I have no guilt about the decisions I made for daddy. I always tried to do the best thing for him in all situations throughout his AD.

Mary -- It doesn't sound callous to me. There comes a time when it is cruel to keep our loved ones on earth any longer... We will miss them but there is a time to cry and let go... and to breathe deepy and slowly rebuild our own lives without them.