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You wrote: > >I need some advice. My terrific father has been diagnosed with PD for >about 13 years now, altho' I strongly believe that he has had it much >longer. He is currently being treated through the VA hospital in Buffalo >NY. He is 73, stubborn and proud. He and my mom live about 40 >minutes from me. > >After each "drug holiday" that he was put on, he got much worse, and >never regained function to the pre-holiday level. He refuses to go through >another holiday. The entire experience was horrific. The family supports >his decision. > >Recently, Dad has been falling. He refuses to use a cane or walker. His >behavior has become confusing...yesterday he took everything that wasn't >nailed down out of his garage. He said that the garage needed to be re- >wired. (It was damaged in a recent earthquake) At 10PM, my sister had to >go to his home (1/2 hr away) to replace everything. He has also been >aggressive and belligerent, which is not at all like him. > >My mom is having a tough time with him, and could really use more help. >My oldest daughter moved in with them to try to help out, but she works >2 jobs and goes to school. We are trying our best to help out, but it isn't >possible to be with them around the clock. > >Dad is extremely resistant to any type of support group, but I'd like to try to >find someone to help them out a bit, possibly visiting with them, or to help >provide services or do odd jobs for them. Any suggestions on how to go >about this? > >BTW...when my Mother talked to Dad's dr. about her concerns about his >falling (he is now sporting a shiner & cut up nose from the last one) he told >her that it was a part of PD and to expect it. > >Are there any sources of assistance that we might try? > > Thanks > > Sharon ([log in to unmask]) > Sharon: Try and get your Dad to a neurologist (? his PD doctor) and request that a CT scan of the brain be done. Although his recent personality change could be due to other things, it could be due to a subdural hematoma (blood clot over the brain) which he could have sustained when he fell. Subdurals are fully treatable and can restore personality to normal. Untreated, they are usually fatal, this over a period of weeks or months. Let me know what happens. Best, Bob -- ******************************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S. Phone: 510-849-2555 Neurological Surgery FAX: 510-849-2557 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA E-Mail: [log in to unmask] CompuServe: 72303,3442 America Online: BobFink "Ex Tristitia Virtus" ********************************************************