I think he has some kind of Alzheimer's or dementia. My Dad is a proud man at the age of 65 he has a tendency of forgetting thing, everyday day things, he is always double or triple checking him self to make sure he has done a certain task, when he goes to the shop it takes him 20 minuets to get ready and he keeps checking his wallet to make sure he has what he needs and because he has spent that long on that particular task he forgot what he was going to the shop for,
When he is going to the bathroom he gets there and forgets what he has gone there for, he is a very confidante person, but lately he does not seem to be able to focus on anything, and has a vacant look, If i say i am coming down to visit he will wait in the window and watch till i get there, he keeps asking my mum when is she coming my mum says later has i gave no time of arrival, mum says he has be stood looking out the window for 3 hours waiting for you and not moved. This is very out of character for my Dad, He had found blood in his urine, he wrote down the time and date, when my mum asked him what it was he said it had happened but because it did not happen again he said he was alright.
I have tried to get my dad to the doctors and has the rest of the family but he will not go, we are all concerned that his health his deteriorating and could be to late for him to be treated if any thing serious, the last time my dad saw a doctor was when he broke his ribs in work 5 years ago, but my dad is so proud he thinks he is ok and he is fine,
Please could you help me or advise me on how i can get my Dad to see a GP.
Amanda C.
the most common symptoms of medication imbalance.I agree he needs to see his doctor fast before things get worse.Maybe a simple fix.My Mother inlaw found she had dementia at age 67.She's now 71 and can't live alone.So,dementia works fast and it's nothing to put off for later.There is medication for Dementia and Alzheimer's.From what your discribing sounds like first signs of dementia as short term memory loss.Medication may not make a better memory but,will help prevent becoming worse.
My guess is,your father knows what is going on with his memory loss."He knows".
Most likely he is affraid of the outcome from what the doctor will say or do.No person want's to be told incompatent by a doctor.Preventing seeing a doctor avoids being told incompatent.You need to insure your father he wont be told incompatent if he goes to a doctor about this.But,I'm sure if you say the word incompatent to him that will make matters worse.The best advice I would say to do is,
Tell him you want to take him to his doctor for a normal checkup that's it.All your job is to get him in the doctor's office.Once that happens,write a letter to his doctor stating what you feel is wrong and hand it to his doctor without your father knowing.This way you & his doctor is on the same page.
Best,
There are doctors and nurse practitioners that come to the house.
I'd almost white lie and say the insurance company requires a check up being that he is now at the age for medicare .
We knew he just had to go see the doctor so we told him we were making the appointment, wrote it on the calendar, I drove up to his house and met my sister there. We took him to the doctor and found that everything was fine. He had lab work and knee x-rays.
When he said he wasn't going, we said, "We made the appointment because we love you, and you are going because you love us."
Once you get him to his GP, hopefully the dr. will refer him to whatever specialists he needs. It does sound like he needs a very thorough work-up. Best wishes to you and your mom and dad.
Blood in urine could be MANY things. Talk to his doctor and tell doc your dilemma. You or your mother may be able to obtain a urine speciman, as a start to drop off at his doctors. Use a sterile cup. He could have a kidney stone, kidney disease, prostrate problem, bladder neoplasm, he could have even beets coloring his urine. But in any case it needs to be checked out. Usually a person who does not seek medical attention is having fear or denial, or is making poor decisions which could be a sign of early dementia. I hope you are able to get him to his doctor. The body is an amazing thing which gives us warnings. Tell him his body is like a car. If you take care of something right away which seems wrong, it can prevent major car repairs later!
I have the same issue with my Mom re the neurologist since she was diagnosed. It's so frustrating because she is getting worse and it's not as if I can tie her up & get her to the doctor. Her TP took over the neurologist's "role," but he doesn't know crap about Alzheimer's, so he is of no help whatsoever. If anything, he makes the situation worse.