Dad fading

[LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE]

Hi Mumsnetters,

I've posted before about my dad - I'm not sure what I really want from this thread apart from maybe some hand holding.

I am a healthcare professional. My dad is in his 70's, has bad asthma (bad enough for referral to a tertiary centre and consideration of biologics). He's been on long term steroids that have caused difficulties with sit->stand/moving about. He's got diabetes because of the steroids. He's depressed. I've had a very frank conversation with him about starting some antidepressants and about how he can progress. My mum is much younger and very fit (despite being disabled).

I feel a bit helpless really. The one saving grace is that he will listen to me, but I feel like everything is on a knife edge. I worry when he is late home that something has happened.

Any strategies for feeling less ill at ease would be welcome. I have small children and I feel torn in half.

It is hard to watch parents in decline

One thing though, looking at the people I know in their 80s, there have been long periods of issues and they have been okay after a while.

mum is 84 and we have had many death scares, takes a lot out of you, I know.

has he agreed to take the anti depressants?

It's really hard watching them fade. Has your dad agreed to take anti depressants? Does he want to live? What's his day to day life like?

DH and I discussing that we're now entering the 'beginning of the end' for my own dad and I feel the worse thing is knowing that he's given up on life (and I can completely understand why) so it's just a matter of time.

Has agreed antidepressants. Seeing GP Monday.

@WhatHaveIFound he is in pain a lot with his back. Last few weeks has had very bad insomnia (multifactorial). He will get up and take my children on the school run with my Mum and can given them toast/snacks. He now can't manage cutting the grass and has been sleeping in the day. Sit to stand is very poor. He can't walk very far and he's had a number of falls. 😞