[unclebilly]

My dad had yet another fall 2 weeks ago. This one was a good one where he hit his head pretty good and was bleeding from a head wound. It appears that he went outside, tried to drive to the hospital but fell again in the rain. He then went in, laid on the couch (blood), and eventually decided to change where he fell again and couldn’t get up.

He was naked when the paramedics got there and his sugars were over 18.5.

He was admitted to the hospital and after the first day decided he was leaving, in his mind he had been there 3 days.

I convinced him to spend the night as my bro and I mobilized to head out there (700 miles away).

Dad did check out of the hospital against the doctors advice (had to sign the form) and my brother took him home.

Dad had not been taking his meds since June. He checks his sugars once a month and thinks 10-12 is ‘normal for him’ and doesn’t give himself insulin. He also was in the habit of going to Tim Hortons for a donut every day. Twice he put on a big tantrum about having a treat while I was there…

In the past 2 weeks, we got home support coming in 3 times ago to ensure he takes his meds, got Meals on Wheels bringing him appropriate food for a diabetic, got a social worker helping with ensuring he gets exercise and a visit a few times per week, got him a life line, had a cognitive assessment, got a POA in place, and a bunch of other stuff.

The issue is that dad doesn’t think his diabetes is a problem, refuses to take any of this seriously, refuses to admit that perhaps he should hang up his car keys, and thinks he is going to ‘get better’ and go on a holiday to Mexico or SE Asia.

He won’t have the convo about assisted living, won’t discuss the car accidents he has had recently, and won’t discuss next steps for his situation.

I’m sure some of you have had to deal with similar circumstances. How have you dealt with a parent that won’t let you help them? I am certain that within a month, he will have undone everything that my brother and I put in place and then it’s just a matter of time before the next wreck.