When to help aging parents

This is tough. Just got an email from a friend who is concerned about her parents; dad is 90 and mom is 84, living at home alone and still independent. Her dad is starting to show signs of dementia and sun downers. He has disturbed sleep patterns and wanders throughout the house during the nighttime.

My friend tells me her dad insists that this is not his home and wants to get dressed to leave to go back home.. I suspect he is thinking back of his childhood home. His wife, my friend’s mother, at age 84 is alone dealing with him during all times of the night, trying to convince him that he is home.

What should my friend’s family do? Should her dad be moved to a nursing home facility? I doubt an assisted living community could offer much one on one help. Or should dad stay home with a hired caregiver?

I suggested that he see a dementia specialist/physician. Get tested. Get results. And hopefully, get a plan. I’m not a doctor but I do know neither her mom or dad are safe.

What do you think?

Thank you for commenting,

Carol

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