I decided to make a post now that I have further information...
As many of you know, my grandmother is in an advanced stage of Alzheimer's, and my grandfather has been wavering between having her committed to a nursing home - and basically signing away his land to pay for the long-term care - and trying to deal with the situation until she is bedridden. It looks like the matter has been taken out of his hands.
Three days ago, my grandparents were visiting Pop-Pop's best friend, Danny. Usually Mom-Mom complains of wanting to go home after thirty minutes, whether the outing is going to church, visiting friends, or grocery shopping. This time, after a strangely long period of silence, my grandfather discovered that she had "fallen asleep" in Danny's easy chair. My grandfather figured, hey, bonus! Unfortunately, when he was ready to go, he was unable to rouse her. When Danny tried, Mom-Mom startled awake at his unfamiliar voice and tried to right-hook him. She then fell immediately back into a stupor from which she could not be roused. My grandfather again tried to wake her, to no avail; Danny again tried, with the same violent results. Eventually, Pop-Pop managed to get her up and moving, but she collapsed before they reached the door, and paramedics were called.
My grandmother has been in the hospital since then, undergoing various blood work, scans, and the like. She hasn't had any black-outs since and has returned to whatever passes for normal, though she has had to be under round-the-clock watch to prevent her from getting agitated and pulling out the IVs (again). So far, all tests have simply confirmed that she has Alzheimer's. Likely the semi-comatose states are simply another stage of the disease. I do believe they have her somewhat sedated to control the disorientation and anxiety.
In the middle of all this, a social worker showed up to "strongly suggest" that my grandfather have Mom-Mom placed in a nursing home. My grandfather had already made preliminary arrangements such as buying a funeral package, knowing it would eventually come to this, which is in his favor. He rather resents the sudden hospital-referred involvement of the case worker, but even he admits that he can obviously no longer carry on a normal day-to-day life with a woman who might pass out at any time.
So... it looks like my grandmother will be admitted to a rehabilitation facility for further evaluation until a spot opens up at the nursing home. The rehab center will likely be able to clear a path sooner than if my grandmother were to return home.
Please pray, not for my grandmother's return to health, which will never be possible, but for a swift passing that allows her to retain some shreds of dignity. Pray, as well, that my grandfather makes the adjustment as well as possible, and that he is able to afford her care without losing his house, his land, his entire savings... He's having to go through the State Medicaid system, and they're thieving bastards, to put it lightly.
So, yeah, that's pretty much what's going on. I didn't quite know how to say, "Please channel all your positive energies into helping my grandmother kick the bucket," but... it really would be a kindness. You wouldn't let an old, sick, confused dog suffer in the way that the medical system allows those with Alzheimer's to "live" - THAT would be called cruelty to animals. Anyway... thanks for reading my ramble.
