When my stepfather Ben was 78 he died of pneumonia — he also was institutionalized with Alzheimer's Disease at the time.

A decision was made not to actively treat this, his second case of pneumonia and he expired in the hospital. He was pulling the tubes out of his arms in the hospital. Maybe, he had, from time to time, enough cognizance to understand his condition.

I would like to think that what happened was an act that was in accordance with Ben's final wishes ... It surly is hell to have to live in a state of dementia ...