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Ray, I wold suggest that you investigate his eating/swallowing ability. My father had trouble keeping weight on prior to his feeding tube. the PD affects the throat muscles as well, and while we thought he was eating enough (he spent a lot of time at the table) the truth was that it was SO much effort to eat enough calories that he began to "waste away". I would try to see if he could enjoy a diet supplement drink like Ensure. (I think there are less expensive ones.) But talk to him about whether he is having swallowing difficulties. We were concerned about stomach cancer and ulcers and other ailments, but the truth was just that my dad was undernourished. Now that we tube feed him he has put on weight, has better color and his meds work better. BTW - his butt never came back - I think that is an older man tendency - at least in our family. The problem is that he slides out of chairs sometimes! CHAIRS ON STAIRS: Look into renting one of those chairs that runs on a motorized chain mechanism. We had one installed for dad's second floor townhome. It is also on an outside wall. It mounts on the stairs, not the wall. They are installed for you and can be rented. My mom loves it for groceries, laundry and even uses it herself. It is scary to think of him falling down a flight. There are a lot of aid available, and I know they can injure dignity, but I always go for the "We want you around for the grandkids" reasoning. Take care. Hop this helps. At least you know other people have been there, done that. Sara Byron