[seafarer]

I had long time old friends of the family where the husband developed alzheimers. Eventually, one day his wife came home, and he attacked her with a kitchen knife, suddenly surprised to find a "stranger" in his house, and someone who he assumed was there to rob him or do other bad things. She got out, and went to a neighbor's and called 911.

Her husband then went into a managed care facility. He never recognized her, nor his kids or friends again. And, he became more violent and paranoid over time, as everyone was a stranger to him, he was always in a strange place and an unknown situation. He died after months of heavy sedation, as that was the only way to keep him from hurting himself and everyone else who came near him.

I think not having a memory can be one of the most horrifying things to happen to anyone - the entire world would become a strange and not so wonderful place all the time.

While it sounds surreal to say it, I was not sad when he finally died (I miss my friend, but was glad to see his ordeal finally over). I know all the joy had long gone out of his life and there had been nothing in this world for him for a long time.