Hi everyone,
My Dad is 79yrs. old and was diagnosed around age 63yrs. He was fairly good up until about 5 years ago, each year requiring alittle more help with daily activities. My Mom (same age) has been the main care-giver, with my two sisters and myself pitching in when she needed a break. However, in the last 6 to 8 months we've noticed a change in his personality and it seemed to coincide with the full moon. He would become more restless during the day, irritated, demanding; almost like rebelling. Completely irrational. In the last 2 weeks he has progressed to the behavior being almost daily. Two weeks ago he called me by name,,,,yesterday he didn't even acknowledge I was there. He just constantly moved from one spot to the next. Never sitting for more then 5 minutes. Trying the doors to get out,,picking up nothing from the floor,,,,,
On Friday, he was so agitated, my sister took him for a walk and he refused to go home, kicking and screaming for help along the way.
Needless to say, we've reached another level,,,,one my mother certainly can't handle alone.
So we talked yesterday about our options; in home care, drugs, nursing home(costs seem prohibitive) and so on.
He goes to see the neurologist on tues., as long as he's agreeable. When he doesn't want to do something, he finds this brute strength. And my sister ran into his family doctor after church last night and he told her to make an appointment this week to evaluate and talk about calming drugs.
I don't know what I'm asking,,,,I know we have decisions to make and research to do,,,but I thought maybe someone could give me some information on what worked for them,,,,what route they chose. Unfortunatly, I know he's not going to get better but want to try to make the situation the best it can be for him and us.
Thank you for any input.
Lorry