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txgrandmom Asked December 2014

My Dad (90) is very tired, weak and no energy. How can I help him?

He also survived West Nile last year and has Bell's Palsy and is not improving. Dad has always been active and pushed himself to get things done, but not any more. He had a bad sinus infection that put him in the hospital for four days during that time he gave up trying to get well or even better. He wants to die.
What can I do to help him? He is not interested in in anything. He used to read but can't see now, Bell's palsey. He used to pick up, clean, and get pecans ready to sell. Not any more. He wants to sleep all the time. He doesn't want physical therapy, or much food. What can I do? Doctor seems to not know what to do. Dad doesn't want to take any pills. I'm at a loss what to do.

JessieBelle Dec 2014
West Nile can be a nasty infection and its after-effects probably account for much that you are seeing. I do not know if there is any effective treatment of post-West Nile at this time beyond maintenance and understanding that he cannot help the way he is feeling. The only advice I have is to follow his lead and make simple foods that he finds tasty. He probably feels very tired, so I wouldn't push too hard at him to do things beyond some maintenance exercises -- but that is just me and what I would do in your situation. Does he have drops to keep his Bell's-affected eye moist?

My sympathy is with your father and you. I don't know how to make it better. I would probably spend my day researching post-West Nile infection to see if science has found things that might help.

pamstegma Dec 2014
Get him to a Neurologist right away. He should have regular follow ups with PT OT as needed, eye exams and bloodwork that monitor and treat the long-term effects of West Nile. If he ever had Lyme Disease, that would be another reason to see a good Neurologist.

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freqflyer Dec 2014
I know my parents are bored and all they do is nap half the day away, they are still living in their own house on their own. I really believe if our parents lived in a retirement community, being around people who are closer to their age, that their brains would perk up because there is so much to do in these communities... or even at adult day care.

West Nile is a bummer.... my sig other daughter [30's] had that last year and her energy level dropped big time. And it took her more time to get over other ailments. Bell palsy will eventually clear itself, just give it time. I had that about 10 years ago, the meds were worse then the palsy itself.

Or maybe your Dad feels he has lived a full life, it is time to run down the clock. Just think 90 is a long time. Try to get him talking about how things were back when he was a child, and what new inventions he saw happening. I always found my Dad's childhood chats quite interesting... he and his brothers were always inventing something :)

BarbBrooklyn Dec 2014
If his doc has no ideas, you may need a new, or an additional doctor
. It sounds like maybe he's depressed . Can you get him to a geriatric psychiatrist ?

Are you all sure that the original infection is cleared? I had a sinus infection recently ( I'm 61, work full time,etc) and suddenly had no interest in anything .

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