Expert: Paula Damgaard - 10/26/2009

Question
My father has had Dementia for the past fifteen years. This past week I have a hard time getting him up from a sitting position or at times getting him up from bed. He becomes angry. He also has a hard time walking. He starts going down and its super hard for me to get him up. He still strong and eats well.

What should I do or try. He sleeps a lot.
Thank you,
Esther

Answer
Dear Esther,  the problem is the disease.  As people go through the disease, they go through stages just like we did as infants to toddlers to children, etc. only now they do it in reverse.  So what you are "seeing"  is your dad "leaving the toddler stage" going back into infant stage.  There isn't really a whole lot to do.  We can't stop it.  

The other thing that goes with this is that their are adults and adults also have "aging" illnesses such as arthritis, that we tend to overlook or forget about.  Perhaps if you medicated him prior to trying to get him up he wouldn't be so angry.  He has lost the ability to tell you that he has pain so you need to watch for clues and getting angry is one of them.

I hope this helps.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Paula