Hello everyone, I’ve decided to join this forum today after a tearful phone call with my mum. I want to do what I can to help her and my dad.
During the lockdown, my dad’s health has rapidly and frighteningly deteriorated. He was diagnosed with essential tremors at the beginning of the year but we all suspect Parkinson’s as his symptoms have increased and got worse. After his first phone consultation with a neurologist last week, he is waiting for a dopamine prescription. He is 78 years old and has always been very fit and healthy. He had an unexpected fall a few years ago and since then his health has gradually got worse, he has an enlarged prostate, an over-active bladder, tremors, digestive problems, stooped shoulders, very slow and unsteady gait, slow at eating and all activities in general and his confidence is at an all time low. He won’t visit us and the grandchildren as he is embarrassed about how he looks and moves. We are shocked at the speed in which he seems to have deteriorated these last few months both physically and mentally.
The most recent problem is upper body strength. He can no long get in and out of bed or put on his shoes and socks. This is someone who was able to do all this only a couple of months ago. My mum is a tower of strength but I caught her today in tears. We are an hour away and with the social distancing rules I feel helpless.
Should I try and find a physio for my dad. Would this even help? Is the dopamine going to make a difference? I’m worried about side effects too, my dad doesn’t cope well with drugs in general and always has some side effects, plus he is taking so many already for various issues.
Looking for advice on how I can support him and my mum and what actions I can take to have a positive affect on his life. I can’t sit back and wait and see and want to be proactive. We all feel so sad.
Many thanks for reading if you got this far!