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Dear Camilla Flintermann, Sharon Beck and Everyone Else: Since my first message to this list, I have received your very warm, supportive and helpful replies. I 've also gotten lots of info and insight into what life must be like for my father. He is 78, diagnosed with PD 5 years ago, my mother, 73 is his caregiver. He has begun having brief but recurring bouts of dementia, paranoia and angry behavior. As per some of your suggestions, his doctor is adjusting meds, but, as his regular neurologist is out of town for a couple more weeks, the substitute doctor is being cautious in doing too much changing. In the meantime, I'm looking for suggestions on how my mother and the rest of us can make these episodes easier on everyone. He particularly becomes abusive and angry toward my mother, actually telling her to leave, yelling, etc. Nursing homes are out of the question at this time. Do any caregivers or medical professionals or actual "PD-ers" have any general advice on how to handle patients with occasional mental difficulties? I have to relate this to my own experiences handling young children. When you know how to react to their behavior, it can help you live through difficult situations with a minimum of stress, or possibly even avoid them. Please understand dear Pd-ers and caregivers, I understand why my father might feel righteously angry at what is happening to his body, mind, etc. and I am not meaning any disrespect toward him or any of you by comparing him to a child. It is just the best analogy I can come up with and I am getting frustrated at not being able to figure out who to ask this question. If none of you can answer the questions, perhaps you can help me figure out who to ask...a nursing educator? a nursing home director? Thanks for giving me a place to turn,and my parents thank you, too. Betti Adams for Max and Shirley Becker