The Hospital said he had Dementia but he refuses to believe it, as a matter of fact he didn't even believe had had pneumonia until his Primary Care told him he did. He also has esophageal cancer in remission but has been verbally abusive and irrational and paranoid about various things. He refuses to go to any more doctors and has demanded I cancel his Neurological apt referred by his Primary Care's PA. I live four hours away and go down to see him every chance I get. What do I do?? He is calling people and accusing them of stealing his car key and threatening to call the police on them but then finds it in his robe pocket. He swears at me and other family members and he won't talk to anyone about getting services to help. I really need advice and love my dad!
Dementia is progressive. Persons with dementia eventually (or quickly) reach a point where it is not safe for them to live alone. We extended the period she could live on her own for my mother by arranging a cleaning person, someone to do her laundry, meals on wheels, a visiting nurse, and frequent family visits. But eventually that wasn't enough. She is now quite content in a nursing home.
Are there family members who are geographically closed to your father whom you might work with to come up with a plan and strategies for him?
Is he living by himself or is someone looking in on him? Before too long he might need another layer of care, such as full-time caregiver or moving into a continuing care facility.