(I listed this under Parkinsons due to some of the similar physical components of the disease and dementia like aspects )
My dad is in his late 60s. He's recently divorced my mother after 43 years and moved to the opposite side of the country to Nevada. He's currently waiting to have spinal surgery for an injury and all of a sudden is having extreme bouts of anxiety surrounding his health. He keeps taking himself to the hospital due to pain and can't stop crying most of the time.
It is becoming more and more apparent that he may also be suffering from Huntington's disease. He shares a common grandparent with a family member that tested positive for HD. This puts him at a huge possibility for having it... but he has every single symptom of someone fairly far along in this disease.
His ability to drive, his financial independence, his ability to care for himself, will all likely need to be taken away in the next few years if not sooner. Where do I start? He has said he's open to having a nurse or caretaker come to the house but I don't even know how to start. He has Medicare and live in Reno. Just googling around isn't really getting me anywhere.
He is in denial or just isn't aware of the reality of his condition so I have no idea how to start the process of removing his independence. I have 2 siblings that live near me and far from him and we all have small (under 5 yrs) children. My sister is angry about the divorce and my brother doesn't have the funds to be much assistance, nor can he miss much work to help.
Sorry for the rambling. I just don't even know where to start.
This was Dads decision. Being that it runs in families, he should have been tested when his cousin contracted it. You and your children should be tested. This is a very debilitating desease. An AL is eventually not going to be able to care for him. He will need skilled nursing.
Medicare does not pay for Caregivers. Its a health insurance. It will pay for walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds but not aides. I just read where someone can live with it from 10 to 30 yrs.
If Dad does not have any assets to pay for inhome care, he maybe able to get Medicaid to help. He will probably need LTC and if no assets, Medicaid can be applied for.
The worst thing Dad did was move away from family. This is going to be hard to do from a distance. Maybe he should move back to be closer to family. Not saying you need to do his care or pay for it. But it will be easier to find him resources. He should get all his ducks in a row. POA, DNR eventually, Will.
And even if he does end up having it, none of you children are responsible for his care. Your dad will then have to see what's available in his area for the care he may require, and if need be he may have to move himself into an assisted living facility, where he will have the staff looking out for him.
Your dad made the decision to move across the country from his family after his divorce, so there really isn't much you can do at this point. Are any of you dads POA? If not, your hands are tied and until he lists one of you as his POA, there is nothing you can do, except wait for the next crisis to arrive. Perhaps then you can step in to try and help.
You are sweet to want to help him, but unfortunately your hands may be tied right now. Wishing you and your dad the best.