The discussion centers on the ethical implications of infidelity when a spouse suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Participants reference the case of Michael Schiavo, who lived with a girlfriend while his wife, Terri Schiavo, was in a persistent vegetative state. Pat Robertson's views on the obligations of caregivers are also highlighted, emphasizing the emotional toll on partners. The conversation underscores the complexity of marital vows in the face of severe mental incapacitation and the need for open communication regarding expectations and desires in such situations.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for caregivers, spouses of individuals with Alzheimer's, ethicists, and mental health professionals seeking to understand the complexities of loyalty and companionship in the context of severe mental illness.
BobG said:It's not like they'd remember it even if you got caught.
Or, more seriously, what sort of obligation do you have to a spouse that's so far gone they don't even remember who you are anymore? In other words, was it evil of Michael Schiavo to be living with his girlfriend for years while his wife, Terri Schiavo, was brain-dead, but physically alive, in the hospital?