My father was diagnosed with PD three years ago although I had been noticing changes for years. He is 81. Up until recently he was having a descent quality of life. His mental capacity has diminished greatly these past 3 weeks. He has an acute awareness of what is happening to him. He is afraid and full of anxiety. What can I do for him? He forgets what I tell him or remembers bits and pieces. I want to do what I can to give him the best quality of life but I don't know what else to expect from PD. I am angry at the disease and emotional. I need help trying to figure out what else i can do for him?
His wise comment however was, "Old age is not for sissies."
Best ideas I've had, is pay attention to both your preferred life schedule and also make chunks of time to spend with him - and some of that time, don't talk or help. There will be lots of time spent helping. But it's the quiet times where he can talk, and also allow him to help YOU, so he retains a sense of value, even if his mobility is declining. By making sure you both make time for him, and pay attention to your own needs for separate goals, and continue to develop them, you can help him adapt to his declining abilities, and find ways he can still contribute, even when it appears to the outside world that he cannot.