My parents appear to be going downhill rapidly. Dad is back in the hospital and his mind is slipping. He won't eat much of anything or drink and he's dehydrated. I think he's giving up. Mom's BP is all over the place and sometimes she can barely walk she's so dizzy. She has a lady that comes in and sits with her during the day and fixes her lunch and does some work around the house (feeding the birds, etc.). Very sad.

I am so sorry to hear that Skittles. {{{HUGS}}}

So sorry, Skittles! Lifting you all up in prayer!

Thanks. I'm really glad we cancelled our Colorado trip and went up to see them instead. My husband worked like a horse (moved a deep freeze from the basement to the back porch so mom could get to it - he did have a little help from me), took dad for a wheelchair ride around the outside of the facility, had tons of patience with my mom, etc.

Very sorry for all this stress over your parents. Hang in there and do your best, it's all we can do.

I'm sorry to hear this, Skittles.

Very sorry to hear this news Skittles. Hang in there. We're praying for your family.

So sorry Skittles. You and your husband have done a great job with your parents.

Thinking of you and your parents Skittles.

Prayers coming your way.

Sorry to hear about your parents, Skittles.

Sorry to hear about your parents Skittles.

My mom went into the nursing home last Friday. The Dr told dad that if she didn't go, they would both end up there. I went home and helped with paper work for Social Services. Talked to dad last night and he seems to be doing pretty good. Still stressed some over the cost, but think it will all work out.
I know it will be a lot better for him. Also, for mom as she will be on a better schedule, with meals, meds, etc.
I know some of her issues are the early stages of Alzheimer's, but also frustrating that if she would've been doing things at home like she was told, she wouldn't be there.
Hard to see our parents go through all of this.

Oh, fun grandma! How stressful.

Keeping you and Skittles on the prayer list.

well, just spent 5 days at my parents, doing simple chores like changing light bulbs since they have high ceilings and neither can get on a ladder, replacing the globe on a light fixture, moving some landscaping rocks that had shifted, replacing the water filter in the refrigerator, trimming tree branches, and other things us young whippersnappers take for granted...

as my stepmom said yesterday "it's hades getting old..."

You're a good man, HappyGilmore. My mother says it's awful when you can't do things for yourself any more and have to rely on others.

I will not grow old gracefully, I have no patience and will be very unhappy if i'm unable to perform simple chores...

Happy - you sound like my husband, although he's a lot older than you are (63).

Gee, thanks Skittles.... a LOT older is 63.....ugh.....

she got that right and when I am 62, 63 would still be a lot older.

Pale remembers when his waist was 63, but not his age...that was too long ago, for both!

My dad's declined significantly over the summer. He was still hale and hearty in late spring but as he approaches his 89th birthday Christmas eve, it seems a perfect storm of health issues are felling him.

Could there be some hope, Skittles in a review of prescriptions and an evaluation of their benefits and side effects?

My dad was prescribed Amiodarone for heart arrhythmia. It destroyed his equilibrium almost immediately and he began falling, sometimes more than once a day. In recent weeks his mind began slipping at an alarming rate. A separate medical emergency landed him in the hospital on Monday a week ago with failing kidneys. The family had suspected this Amiodarone was a problem with his balance and his confusion so I embarked on a crusade to get to the bottom of it. Sure enough, all interviewed, RNs and other physicians, except for the doctor who prescribed the medication, said it was evil stuff with wretched side effects, especially on the aged. He was taken off of it and within a day he showed signs of improvement. By last weekend he was completely in his right mind and as steady as an old fellow can be with a bad back.

I had to fight both the heart doctor and my mother, who embraces any medication ever prescribed them as required miracle cures, in order to get my dad off the medicine. He is unable to have the extensive back surgery required to correct several different issues which cause great pain but he's at least clear-minded and mobile again.

It's hard to determine which is worse. The possible outcome of untreated arrhythmia or the possible outcome of falling with resultant bashed heads and broken hips due to side effects of treating a condition. Either could kill a person.

Went up on Saturday and saw my parents. Mom is doing OK and is feeling better. Dad actually sounded and looked a little stronger - and has started to eat a little bit. Don't know what to expect, but every little improvement helps. Took mom up to see dad and to the grocery.

And after all that, my SIL is going to move my inlaws back to their home (no it didn't sell the year it was on the market, mostly because she placed it with an inept, nonlocal realtor and then insisted she had to be there to 'help' show it, but wasn't ever available.) $24,000 down the drain, not to mention all the time and energy and confusion for my inlaws. I have no idea what she is planning to do about their ongoing care, feeding, or the expenses she will incur moving their stuff back home and making the house habitable. Supposedly she is in the process of building on to her house to move them in with her, but again - they really do need qualified care. I am just speechless.

I'm so sorry, EGB. Sounds like your SIL isn't in touch with reality.

THAT'S an understatement. About 3 of my 4 SILs, in fact........