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All ---

My mom asked me to post this query to my "net-buddies", as she put it.  We know that paranoia and hallucinations are all part of the Parkinson's package, but for the past couple of days, Dad's been outdoing himself.

He's absolutely convinced that there is / has been / will be a fire at the nursing home.  Monday morning, in fact, the director of social services "walked" with him to each room on the floor (Dad's in a wheelchair right now), and he felt each and every doorknob to see that it was not hot (as it would be in a fire).  Even after that ritual, he still wouldn't give up the idea.

It was suggested to him that he go downstairs, and outside, so that he could see that the building was fine.  He got quite indignant, stating that he couldn't go downstairs.... he can't go down the stairs in the wheelchair, and everyone knows that you don't use elevators in a fire.

They finally convinced him to go down, and Mom and he sat in the community room downstairs.  The primary purpose for getting him off of the 2nd floor that afternoon was that, as luck would have it, they were having a fire drill!  (The staff knew about it, the residents didn't).

Another evening recently Dad hustled Mom out of the day room they were visiting in.  When she asked why, he told her simply to move it now, and he'd explain later.  Once "safely" down the hall she asked him again, and he told her that the room was on fire... couldn't she see it?

Now.  He's never been in a fire;  My uncles are all firefighters, as are my brother-in-law, nephew, husband, and myself.  We've never had any of our homes damaged by fire.

Could it be that because he can't do anything for himself (get out of bed, walk alone, etc.) that he's feeling trapped, and worrying?  What is it with the fire.... does anyone else have such vivid fears--- centering on a single topic?

Thanks for any and all input.  We're all baffled.

Diane McHutchison
LD Caregiver for Dad (69/7+)