Any GP's around to advise what to do about my dad please?

[ilovewelshrarebit123]

My dad is 74 and usually in good health.

Three years ago he had the arteries in his legs replaced/grafted (not sure which) due to a severe blockage from smoking. Not sure if this is relevant.

Two years ago he stopped looking after himself, he never showers, smells fusty and rarely wears clean clothes. When I say doesn't shower, he really doesn't, my mum reckons he hasn't for months.

He despises my mum and is extremely angry and aggressive about everything. He's always been quite a mild mannered man so this is out of character. We're all treading on egg shells in case we upset him.

He's always got the knife in someone's back so to speak and it's really strange how he's acting.

He shouted and pointed his finger in his granddaughters face today, just because she left something in school, he adores them, and has never ever done this before.

It's like something's happened to his brain as this is not like him.

My mum is at her wits end and living with him is very difficult. We're both wondering if it's a TIA or early dementia.

He refuses to acknowledge anythings wrong, so we're not sure what we can do so would appreciate some advice. Getting him to the GP is unlikely to happen.

[ilovewelshrarebit123]

I don't live with them, I made it sound like I do.

[Heirhelp]

That sounds difficult. When my mum was refusing home help I ask my friend who is a gp for advise. She said ring your mums gp and ask to speak to a gp, the gp can't tell you anything about your dad but they will be able to listen and you can ask GP to not say you have rung. She said she has lots of phone calls along these lines.

[NK346f2849X127d8bca260]

Those can be are symptoms of early stage dementia. Sorry don't know what to suggest as like you said the struggle will be getting him to accept he needs to see one.
I feel really sorry for your mum, is she able to go out on her own or does she not like to leave him?

[sadie9]

The GP may even do a memory test, and your Dad may well pass that, even if he has early stage Dementia. An MRI may show nothing abnormal even in people with fairly obvious dementia.
Could he be in pain of some sort? Or depressed? A trip to the GP might certainly help, there could be medication he could be tried with. He may have depression, again common and underdiagnosed in the elderly (your Dad isn't that old though).
The GP could try a low dose of an anti-depressant maybe that might help with his mood?