Reply #22: Proceed with caution!

[man4allcats]

If his family has deserted him, you won't get them to help even if you can find them. Trust me on this one. Also, you don't know for sure that he has Alzheimers (in fact, at present the only definitive diagnosis is post mortem) although from what you say there is certainly reason to suspect it. I would just keep an eye on him. If he can function, let him live independently - at least for now. When the time comes, assisted living may be an option for him if he can afford it. Eventually he may wind up in a nursing home, but I can tell you from long experience that a nursing home should always be a last resort. The U.S. long term care industry has no effective oversight and is very poorly managed. See < http://www.nccnhr.org/uploads/GrassleyLtr0704.pdf
> for the findings of a recent Congressional report on the problem. This PDF file is a July, 2004 letter by Senator Chuck Grassley (forget that he's "one of them") written to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) Administrator Dr. Mark McClellan. The file loads slowly so be patient. If you're interested in knowing what U.S. nursing homes are like today, it is worth the wait for it to load. Bottom line - give the old guy a chance to live independently for as long as he can safely do so before winding up in a nursing home. They're not like they're portrayed in their brochures. Take my word for it.