Is he about to die?

My grandfather is almost 87 years old. He's had Alzheimer's for about 8 years now. He's been in stage 7 for almost a year and a half, although the only criteria he doesn't meet is completely losing the ability to talk. (He can say 4-5 words at time, although most of it makes no sense). Last year he was in full renal failure from not eating, at which time my grandmother signed a DNI, DNR, and a living will. Some how he pulled through, but I think this is it now. 4 days ago he began freaking out more than usual, grunting and screaming and could not get comfortable. He's been wetting himself 4-5 times a day. Last night he was having trouble breathing, so they called 911. Today at the hospital they learned his heart has started beating irregularly, and he has a urinary tract infection that won't go away. He's a trooper, but I have a feeling he won't be coming out of the hospital this time. I live about 700 miles away from my entire extended family. Should I be planning (I'm a teacher) on going home for a funeral? What are your thoughts and/or experiences?

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

So sorry to hear this and i pray your grandfather has peace today.

no one can tell you when the time will be as we are going throught this to, but pretty sure the hospital has a good ideal. yes a uti can and will take them out thats what many die from. my mom has them a lot and hers never clears all the way up but she stays on meds for them so far shes been doing good, but they say thats what takes most alz patients out.

my mom has a irregularly heat beat now and than, i was told the heart and lungs are the last to go because the body gives thoses to all the blood it needs thats why the rest like kidneys/liver goes out first, the body is trying to save the two biggest orgins heart/lung.

i would say be ready and let your work know whats going on. ask who ever is with him if they can speak to the dr at hospital and get some kind of ideal so you will have time to come in if you want to see him before hes gone.

God Bless him and your Family.

[midmurphy]

My mother was put on hospice, they first said she had 6months.she lived for 2 yrs. Their are signs to watch for such as the fingernails will start to turn blue plus their ears will begin to pin backward, I know how hard that is to read and I'm very sorry for your family but nobody really knows.hospice would tell us every few months 6 months sometimes weeks. She held on however,but so very sad to watch loved ones pass, but she is peaceful now.