...it appears my mother possibly did us (and herself) a favour by refusing to take her medication after her heart-attack in Nov 2011. At the time my father and I of course berated her and were upset and justifiably angry. Yet I've just read the personal account of another son whose mother has dementia but whose heart continues to beat strongly; whereas he wishes more than anything in the world that it didn't : http://bit.ly/inretrospect . True to her nature - albeit unwittingly - it appears my mother did everyone one final, great kindness.