Has anyone experienced a rapid decline in their surviving parent once the other parent has died?

My Mom passed away unexpectedly and almost lost my Dad to grief the moment he found out. I set a goal for myself to keep him alive and healthy that first year when so many husbands seem to pass. I don't know why that is, but I see it in the cemetery when we visit. The wife is buried and within a few months, there is a new headstone with the husband included. Even though I didn't want to get out of bed myself, I made sure that we both got out of the house every day. We'd eat out, go to the bookstore, walk the aisles at walmart and home depot and I moved his dog inside. A pet might not be an option for you, but keeping him active and engaged was what I did to make it through the first year. That was eight years ago. I'm back in school and sometimes he even goes to class with me! The younger kids love to talk to him and some of them call him Dad or Grandpa. He loves it!

Yes, I've seen this in my dad following the death of my step-mother 4 months ago.

After writing, I checked your profile and saw your father has alz/dementia. At his age it wouldn't be unusual for him to decline in health as things around him change. I am glad that you are there for him.

kthin, my mother is still going strong 2.5 years after my father's death, but her first 6 months were very hard. Her mental and physical health deteriorated quickly. I read one time that some spouses die within 6 months after losing their mate if they were married for a long time. What you are seeing is not unusual. However, many parents live on after working through the loss. I am sure your father feels depressed and lost with the changes. I hope that things turn around for him.