AboutMargot RN BScN GNC Expertise Please feel free to ask anything, but the more specific you are, the easier it is for me. Please share as many details as you are comfortable doing. I do check my Emails daily Monday through Friday so you should receive an answer within 24 hours on most business days. Thanks.
Experience GERONTOLOGY (NURSING ISSUES RELATED TO THE ELDERY) I have 15+ years experience working with the elderly. I would be pleased to offer any assistance I can. My areas of expertise include: Gerontology / Geriatrics, Long Term Care, Community Nursing, Palliative Care, Private Nursing Services, Intermediate / Extended Care. I also have a personal interest in Homeopathic and Eastern Medicine. If I can not answer your question I'll do my best to direct you to an appropriate resource. Thank you. Experience in the area 20 years of Long Term Care and Community Nursing, specialising in Geriatrics, Gerontology and PalliativeCare.
Education/Credentials Registered Nurse , Certified Gerontological Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Question Hi, I wonder if you can advise me. My father is 82 and had a diagnosis of parkinsons 6 months ago and diabetes 2 about 5 years ago. He denies that he has either of these illnesses.
In fact he seems reasonably well. His mobility which had been very poor has improved as a result of physiotherapy, exercise and treatment for swollen legs. He has no tremors and although he seems very stiff, this is not new. He seems reasonably content if a little lonely (my mother died two years ago.)
What is worrying is that he seems to have a deteriorating memory. He used to forget words but now he seems to get quite confused at times (which he tries to cover up).
My brother and I think that this may be a symptom of the Parkinsons and that he may be unwise to refuse all help and medication.
Can you advise? I am worried that he may deteriorate very rapidly.
Thanks very much
Answer Hello Judith and thanks for writing,
Memory loss is not uncommon with PD as it usually leads to some level of PD-related dementia in most patients.
Although it is frightening to watch someone we love make poor decisions which could adversely affect their health, people do have the right to live at risk and refuse treatment as long as they are no a danger to themselves or others. If it gets to the point his cognitive faculties deteriorate to the point he is at real risk you can apply for committee, but this can take several months – in the meantime you may need to have his physician commit him to a home (even if it is against his will) so you should try to develop a good relationship with his primary physician now.
As far as trying to encourage your father to cooperate with the medical advice now in regards to his PD & Diabetes, it sounds hopeful as he has accepted followed medical advice for other health issues (swollen legs) and you need to try to find an approach that will work. Make an appointment to discuss this with his primary physician as well and make sure you’re all working together – maybe the next time he complains of stiff or sore back, the doctor can introduce the medication but not say it for “Parkinson’s” but say it’s for “muscle spasms”. Similarly, if he complains of weight gain, weakness or dizziness, the doctor can recommend diabetic medication for the symptom he complains of with using the word “diabetic”.
I wonder what he is afraid of: doesn’t want to accept the diagnosis, afraid of medication side-effects, scared to lose his independence, etc … If you can figure out WHY he is resisting the medical advice this time, it’ll help you try a different approach.
For example, if he fears losing his independence then his physicians and family can assure him that the meds slow the progression of the disease and without them he’ll deteriorate much faster If he’s afraid of side-effects, perhaps he has personal experience and knows a friend who had a bad experience, then you all can work on educating him about the advances in the pharmaceutical industry the past decade, and so on …
Is there some one else who he listens to? Often seniors take everything their doctor says as gospel, others listen to family, and others have friends they rely on, so think about who else might be able to talk to him who you think he might be more open to.
I hope this helps. There are no easy answers and we just have to keep trying but sometimes nothing works until the person either has an emergency or becomes a risk to themselves so the physicians will commit them against their will. Let’s hope for both your sakes it doesn’t come to that.
All my best, my thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.
Margot
