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In a message dated 4/9/99 10:17:31 AM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << I continue to be amazed at the necessity of a patient or family member to be proactively involved in care! Good luck. Kathy >> Kathy, It has been my experience that if you want good care of a Parkie in the hospital, it is required that someone perceived as normal (i.e. other than the patient) be involved. It is very common for the staff and the PWP to get into it on various matters. For instance: 1. The timing of medicines (You can wait a few more minutes, I'm certain that taking you r pills exactly at three is not that important.) 2. The ability to sleep (You could go to sleep if you really wanted to, after all, its not like you are having pain). 3. The ability to do anything (I saw you walking just a couple of minutes ago, why don't you just do it now? ) 4. And on and on… The APDA puts out an excellent little pamphlet titled "hospitalization of a Parkinson patient" One can get these from them at their Staten Island address (below). Armed with that and an accurate contraindicated drug list, you are set to get your Parkie a good hospital stay. American Parkinson's Disease Association (APDA) 1250 Hylan Blvd, suite 413 Staten Island, NY 10305 Regards, WHH 55/38/37