My Dad

My Father is a lovely gentleman who raised myself and my brother after my Mum passed away when she was only 36 years old. Now it's my turn to give back by looking after him.

We first noticed something different about Dad's behaviour in about 2005. We would be walking along , talking, whrn he would spot a small object (rock, stick etc) on the ground and stop and bend down and handle that object with his total concentration on that object. It was like we were t even there anymore - even though we were in mid conversation. We would have to 'snap' him back to us, away from the object.

It was very difficult to get Dad to have his initial Doctor's appointment. When he finally went; his GP thought he may have Parkinson's and referred him to a Neurologist. The Neurologist confirmed that diagnosis. Over time, as the disease manifested different symptoms, there was a rediagnosis of PSP in 2010.

Skip to 2016, my Dad now cannot live unassisted and currently lives with my husband and I in the Scenic Rim in South East QLD. He is receiving visits from a care organisation, three times per week, and gets help with personal care, domestic and socialisation. Dad simetimes needs help to stand, he is still having all meals with us but needs soft food cut into small pieces. He has many 'freezing' episodes which makes him think that his medication is not working. ( he is taking Madopar every three hours, Sinemet before bed, Lyrica morning and night and Panadeine Forte before bed) sometimes I have to help him out of bed once or twice at night; sometimes not at all. It is a constant battle to get Dad to drink any fluid and to do any exercise at all. He has no interest in doing anything socially. And yet, he gets anxious when I leave him on his own. ( he has a care alert pendant that allows him to ring me and me to ring him)

Every moment with him is Gold although it is heart wrenching to watch him suffer; and I know it's going to get a lot worse. Suport from others is invaluable because I want to be there for him as long as I can.