Is drooling normal?

My 95 yr old mom has dementia and drooling increased this past year. Some of it was from loss of muscle coordination for swallowing, and eventually she needed a feeding tube. Also, could be coming from the areas affected in the brain as to whether they notice it or not, and this can change from moment to moment. The drooling will be worse if there is some underlying infection in the mouth or throat or there are other problems with the gut health, i.e. parasites/microbials or candida overgrowth.

My father (90) drools a lot, he can soak his shirt. I believe it is from his heavy breathing. He has severe COPD and has a habit of 'pursed-lip' breathing in and out of his mouth and I think that is where his drooling is coming from. What I don't get is, my Dad does not have dementia, he seems completely unaware that his chin is dripping and his shirt is soaked. Or perhaps he has decided "I'm 90 and I don't give a $#*+!"

Muscles get slack as we age and the mouth does not alawys stay closed properly. Can also happen after a stroke. More of an inconvenience than anything else but can cause sore lips and splits in the corners of the mouth

Drooling happens when the muscles and saliva do not work together. Don't worry about it and love your father for the time he has left.

My mother has had this problem for a number of years. She is now 103 yo. She had it when her mind was still sharp and she carries a handkerchief or kleenex with her all the time to wipe. It seems normal for this age. Her ENT doctor said it's better to have too much saliva than too little, but they can plug the glands under the tongue if it gets excessive.

My mother doesn't have Alzheimer's, but she's ninety and has dementia and I have noticed her drooling lately, so this may be normal.