Dementia is difficult, it’s just so sad to witness the decline. In certain circumstances it may be something of a mercy at times for affected persons themselves, though. Try to be grateful that he’s happy. That’s not always the case.
My late grandmother cried and begged to go home constantly, although she didn’t know where that was or who we were, and prior to that, when we tried to keep her in her own home she’d wander off, scaring everybody to death. She eventually became mean, vrrbally abusive then physically violent to the extent an 88 year old woman could be described as such.
We loved her and mourned her passing, but it was a relief and a blessing when she did. I’m very torn about saying that, and disagree profoundly with some of the conclusions others might reach as a result of such an observation. She lived her full life and died a natural death.
That is as it should be.
I know exactly what you mean, and our family felt the same way. When my younger sister called me to let me know, my first words were "Thank God". My mother had been 'ready to go' for years, but she was in good health, other than the dementia, until the last year, when she declined pretty steadily.
Her 'calling hours' at the funeral home was a raucous party in honor of a funny and very sweet lady. It's a good thing there was not another family in the building that night; they might have been scandalized by our behavior. There were tears, for sure, but many more laughs and good memories.