My dad is 94. He is in an assisted living facility because of fecal incontinence and short term memory loss. His gait is unsteady, but he will not use a walker or cane. He is very proud and refuses a wheelchair when we take him out. Around his room we find notes telling people to stay out of his room and to quit taking his things. Sometimes we find notes that he tries to write to remind him of the date and his children's names, etc. I don't live in the same state, but I call him every night; sometimes he is fine, and other times he asks me if I ever get tired of living. When I am with him, he seems happy. The doctor just told us that his pacemaker will soon need a new battery. Dad is just confused enough that he would not be able to understand what this means. My sisters and I are sick about what we should do. We want to do what is best for Dad, and we don't want him to end up "upstairs" as he calls the nursing home part of the facility because he has said over and over that he doesn't want to go there. He has an advance directive, but we are afraid that not replacing the battery would mean that his life would end. Is there any information you could give us from your experience that would help us to know what would be best for him? Thank you.