Parkinson's

[jamiecooks]

My dad is almost 70 and has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's. We have noticed a decline in him for the last couple of years really - being unable to open jars, struggling with knife & fork etc, very slow with his walking and also forgetting/repeating things a lot. But there has been a formal diagnosis now by a specialist.

He isn't yet on medication and is very very determined to stave it off as far as he can (he does numerous exercises each day and plays golf several times a week) but I think he is declining pretty rapidly. I don't see him very often as we live a flight away so I guess I notice it quite a lot each time I see him.

Mum and dad have both prepared POA's for my brother and I to sign (I am just waiting for my new passport having recently changed my name after getting married) but I guess I just don't know what to expect going forwards.

I think once he can't play golf anymore that will finish him off as he will just be devastated.

He has already said if he starts to get violent then he wants to be put in a home as he doesn't want to put my mum in danger.

It's so hard seeing this bright and fiercely independent man decline like this. He worked hard all his life, retired at 65 and then he gets this. It's just crap.

Has anyone any experiences they can share? I feel so scared for him and for my mum.