Will I Die With Dignity?

Grandma's in the hospital. I went to visit my cousins who live up North, and they told me that she was admitted today for dehydration. Apparently, she isn't eating or drinking anymore. They put in an IV in the only vein they could find, which is in her neck AND then had to tie her down to the bed to keep her from ripping it out. Tomorrow, they will do a swallow test to see if a feeding tube is in order. Here's the thing though: she is late stage Alzheimer's. She is confused and agitated and not able to even go to the bathroom. So, why would my aunt (who has the power to make this decision) even consider prolonging her suffering? It makes me very angry. I feel so powerless. My grandmother was very dignified and sophisticated, and she would hate to see herself like this. She certainly wouldn't want it.

My grandmother is dying of Alzheimer's, and my mom is not so far behind. The possibility of following in their paths is terrifying, and I clearly have enough terror in my life! One of my greatest fears with this is that I'll end up alone and demented and without any dignity. I also fear having a family of my own, because I wouldn't want to put them through this.

Please pray/meditation for an end to the suffering of my grandmother and my mother. What a horrific, horrible disease Alzheimer's is!