Hello. My father was diagnosed with Parkinson's in December. He is 64 years old and is now living in a nursing home. I visit him at least once a week and within the last 6 weeks, he has really declined. I am here with my daughter and husband, but the rest of the family is out of state so it is hard seeing Dad in such bad shape with little family here to turn to for help and support. He is having trouble walking now and uses a wheelchair. The nurse had to help get him from the chair to the bed the other day. It was only a week ago that I took him to the doctor and he had trouble getting in and out of the car. Now a week later, he is walking even less. He is very depressed and doesn't really seem to pay attention when you speak to him. I talked to him for an hour about things going on and he had very little to say and seemed preoccupied. I know he wasn't, and it could be the 'mask' that made him seem emotionless.
My brother will be here in a few weeks for Easter from out of state. He has not been here in almost 2 years. All of the problems with my father came to a head in November when he was admitted to the hospital for dehydration and fell a few times in his apartment. He had to go into a nursing home because he couldn't live safely alone and I am not in a position to be able to care for him 24/7. It seems that he probably had Parkinson's for a while and it was never determined.
I am really sad now and scared that I am losing my father. I had hoped to take him home for Easter when my brother was here but I am afraid that may not be a possibility now. Is there anyone out there that knows what I might be looking for to see if he might be exhibiting advance stages of this disease - perhaps even end stages? I know with a progressive disease there is no magic ball to see how someone may progress or how quickly. I am in so much shock at how worse he seems to be every week.
Any suggestions or experiences that you can share would be greatly appreciated.
I needed somewhere to express my concerns. I am afraid for him.
Thanks!