Parkinson's diagnosis

[LIVIA999]

Hello!
My Dad has just been diagnosed. He's late 70's so not to young anyhow.
He only retired last year and up until then was pretty fit and very strong as did a very physical job.
We've been encouraging him to be active but I think he's feeling very vulnerable.
My mum is much younger than him so she's still out being busy and I want him to try and be independent for her as much as him.

Does anyone have any experience of Parkinson's? What can we expect and does anyone have any tips of how we can help him.
I think he's a bit shocked as he didn't really think there would be anything wrong.

Sorry to hear that OP. Someone close to me was diagnosed with parkinsons a few years ago and it was tough. She gave up on life soon afterwards. She stopped leaving the house. Stopped eating. Stopped seeing people. Stopped enjoying the things she used to do. She became a shadow of her former self and it was so horrible to watch.

Of course your dad will be still coming to terms with the shock of the diagnosis now, but start thinking of what he enjoys doing. Find something your dad loves to do and support him staying active in that. Or find a new hobby? I've seen a lot of courses for 'gardening with parkinsons'. Would that be something your dad would be interested in?

Or perhaps if he has a hobby like lawn bowls for example, he could continue to go and even if he can't actually bowl anymore he can still join in by being the referee or something But keeping him active in some way in whatever his interest is, keep getting him out of the house, amongst friends and family and going to places he enjoys.

Maybe look to see if there are any support groups in your local area? It might be good for him to meet others with parkinsons? Don't let him give up on life like my friend did.

Enjoy every min with him!

Here are a few links you might be interested in:

(someone who lives with parkinsons) thepdgardener.wordpress.com/2013/09/10/in-the-garden-with-parkinsons-disease/

(support information for people with parkinsons and their family) www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/support-you

(helpful info) parkinsonslife.eu/

A family member was diagnosed a few years ago - at a guess Id say 3-5 - and the medication he's on is really slowing the progress of symptoms, I don't think you'd realise he had it if you didn't know. He was 70 at diagnosis. Many people respond v well to newer medication, but I think mental attitude is important. It sounds like it would be really helpful to show him stories of people his age going on as normal and managing their condition.

Thank you both! @HooraySunshine thanks for the websites and @reddressblueshoes the tips.
I'm hoping that the meds help. They did say if they don't then there is a chance it's another neurological illness so we have to wait and see.
I think yesterday he was in shock even though none of us were as we've seen the decline.
He honestly didn't think there was anything wrong!
He's looked into starting tai chi so that's good ( v bizarre imagining him doing it! ) apparently there is a group near his house for Parkinson's sufferers.
I think in a couple of days he'll realise nothing has changed and start looking at some things to help himself.
Thanks all though it's really kind of you both x

My dad had Parkinsons from age 65 ish. It is a cruel disease but your dads symptoms might develop slowly. Medication is good. My dad had a deep brain stimulation device fitted which was amazing at controlling the shakes and muscle ache though a major operation.

Dad was unable to walk and talk for the last few years and did need full time care because of falls and personal care but hopefully you have a long time before that stage. Take him out while you can. My dad lost confidence in eating out and in speaking with people who couldn't understand his speech.
Please ask me if you think of anything I might know.

I should add, Dad lived, to eighty and was only really bad for last three years.

I had a similar experience to RaininSummer with my dad. He was diagnosed at 59 and lived until he was 73.

The first years weren't too bad, just tremors in his hands/arms, it progressed and only really got bad in the last 2 or 3 years - swallowing difficulties, trouble speaking, falls, jerking about violently at times.

Mine didn't have the brain stimulation device though, it was controlled with medication.

Sounds very similar to my dad IsDaveThere he was diagnosed at 56 and died at 76. He has a good quality of life until about 70, he had the DBS surgery which helped a lot but then his body rejected the material and he had to have it all removed. In the last year or so before he died he was really slowing down, having trouble swallowing and speaking, and was very tired some days. In the end he had a stroke and died in hospital, but it was very peaceful, my mum and sister were with him at the end

He kept a very strong outlook all the time, even when the DBS failed he said, maybe they’ll have found out something that will help someone else in future, and never really ‘gave in’ to it