Without going into specifics...
Couple of days ago I met a elderly property owner beside a survey we are doing. They are convinced that the neighbors are out to get them and that the neighbors are moving the property stakes. They've "seen" a survey that "proves" they're right and everyone else is wrong. Their property is in a platted subdivision and their deed is a platted lot - no together with. Neighborhood monumentation is in agreement.
After doing some checking and listening to them it is VERY clear that the person is confused and I believe struggling with Dementia or some type of mental deterioration. I saw this in my dad 6 to 8 years ago. The thought processes, the general outlook in life, the changes in mood, the absolute certainty of people conspiring against them. After showing them the measurement across the front of their property matches the subdivision plat, they still insisted that I wasn't listening to them. They do not have a copy of their own survey, but again, insists they've seen the deed / survey of the neighbor that "proves" his property line is other then what his deed shows.
Unfortunately, I don't think the neighbors have been as neighborly as they could be or if they've tried - the person has railed against anybody coming near their property. I think the police have been to the home as have social workers. So far I believe they are still able to care for themselves sufficiently so they have not had to be removed from their home. Based on my experience with my dad, I would guess that they will need to be placed in a home in the next year or two.
I can still hear the words of my dad when I had to take him to the emergency room to be evaluated by a doctor (first step to placing a person in a nursing home). "Why are you doing this", "can't you just wait until tomorrow", "don't you love me?" After receiving some treatment for a couple of weeks, my dad was able to be moved from a nursing home to an Assisted Care Living Facility. We were then able to have him in our home for about a year till he deteriorated back to the point where we had to place him back into an ACLF then to a nursing home where he passed away. Being with this person has brought back all those experiences and feelings.
Very sad - heart breaking.
My wife's grandmother suffered from dementia as well. She was the wife of a Methodist preacher for nearly 60 years. She was the nicest and sweetest lady in the world. When she began her downslide, her mood changed very much. Near the end, she was a 5'1", 85 lb., tough as nails, mean as a snake woman. I felt bad for her when she was like this. Her bad days were BAD, and her good days were marginal.
It is a horrible demise, and I hope I don't go through it, and more over, I hope my family doesn't go through it, cause I'm mean enough already.
It was much worse on my wife and her mother than the rest as they were very close to her and when she would snap, it was tough for them to remember that it wasn't really her talking and it was the dementia. It's sad to say, but for some, near the end, death is a relief for all parties knowing that they've run the race well and all are in a better place.
Handyman, the time you took with that client and the consideration that you showed them is IMHO what being a Professional is all about.