@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member Suggestions from Flamingo are what helped with my 92 year old neighbor/manfriend. That being said, he resists any pressure to use the walker, etc. What has helped recently is that a PT told him that if he falls and breaks something, the hospital could not release him to home and he would need a placement.
I believe that the dementia limits his ability to plan ahead to use his walking aids, have them hearby. I also believe that, despite support, a person ultimately cannot be forced to do anything...and that he and I must accept the consequences.

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A MyParki...

Well said.

Feel for you. I needed to hear that it's ok for him to do what he will do.

Thank you.

Hi Michelle, I understand your issues...my husband doesn't want to leave the house and then when we get to grocery, he has changed his mind and sits in the car. He leaves lights on most of the rooms during the night, is afraid of falling. In the 3 years I didn't understand the dynamics of PD and tried to do anticipate what he needed. My therapist would tell me YOUR NOT HIS MOTHER, It has taken me the last 3 to understand his limitations and try not to over react. I am Bi-polar so at times we clash and I have to leave the room. Caregivers must take time off. It is imperative in order to keep your sanity and a gives the PD a break from a giver. This ain't no cakewalk.

Thank you... going to see if I can touch base with his physical therapist (he doesn't accept what his Movement Disorder MD or Primary Care MD has told him [in my presence] about using the walker.. I don't say anything about his cognitive decline to him but focus only on the physical and there - simply blame Parkinson's so it's not his fault. He dismisses all advice. Tried analogies, tried reminding him what the doctor's have said, tried explaining that by being safe he protects his abilities. Going to talk to a therapist to see if she can help me figure out a way to get through. On top of this, even though I don't live with him (he lives with my mom about 20 minutes away), I'm pretty much the one he looks to for answers.

The good and the bad - my father presents really well (cognitively) - has great social skills, knows what's going on news-wise, knows everyone. On a cursory level, he seems quite "with it" - but his "logic" and decision making skills are totally shot, he is impulsive, and his short-term memory is now pretty bad. The good (great really) - he's starting to go out with the aide to meetings and movies and the Y and library and is fine there.. The bad - he refuses to listen about safety even when it doesn't interfere with his life (he's now using a cane outside instead of a walker and in the house is using a cane or nothing).

I know it's his way of taking control of his life. Unless I can find a another way to get through, I am going to have to step back in terms of the safety issues - it is his life and there's only so many times that consequences can be explained. Dignity/free will vs. safety.

Thank you everyone for the advice and listening. It helps a lot.

Best to all!!!

Losing control of your life must be hard! Taking advice from your children is sometimes more difficult than from a Dr or therapist or others with PD. Having to try to get a parent to follow your advice is hard too. If there is someone else that can help you with that so your role can be more support and fun might help. Visuals can be helpful for those with memory loss, posting pics yo remind so he doesn't have to be corrected after forgetting. If he could identify for himself what he wants to be reminded of he might accept it better.