Susan, I have mixed emotions about this. My mother didn't have P.D. but she had a lot of serious health problems. My mother fell at home and fortunately wasn't far away from her phone so the Fire Dept. rescued her. A few months later she fell again and was very weak. We had to place her in a nursing care facility and she fell there because she either thought she could go to the restroom by herself or she would fall out of her wheelchair with no one nearby to help her. Skilled Care Facilities can be understaffed which is definitely something you'd want to check out. I don't know how feeble your parent is but if he or she can get around okay and the house is free of things to trip over, I would consider having your parent stay at home and get a lifeline button for emergencies. It's a very difficult decision to make.

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member - I agree about the mixed feelings. Personally, I will do everything I can to avoid going to a nursing home. Even good ones are understaffed. My father was in a good one and was robbed twice by staff. He would wait for 20-30 minutes for someone to help him to the bathroom. His wife moved in with him, and he still wasn't getting attention - probably because she was there. She did most of his hands on care. OTOH, if your parent is falling and needs full time care that you can't provide, then they will be safer in a nursing home. My BIL fell and broke his hip. He desperately wants to go home but his 81 year old wife can't lift him so until he is capable of standing on his own, he has to stay where he is.

Mentioned Users

A MyParki...

Is it safer for a parent in there mid 80s to be in a skilled care facility to prevent falls?

My BIL fell in the shower and hit his head, which caused a brain bleed and a stroke. When he was released from rehab, he tried to stand up to go to the bathroom and fell and broke his hip. So yes, falling is dangerous.