My dad is 61 with a family history of heart disease. He's smoked since he was 13, has high blood pressure, high cholesterol and depression. 5 years ago he decided to get healthy to watch his grandchildren grow up- quit smoking and started taking meds. He slowly quit caring about things he formerly loved but for the first year or so we thought it was from the Chantix he was given to quit smoking. He's slowly developed forgetfulness, lost all his patience and no longer has any regard for the things he once loved- family, friends, job. This past year he quit taking all his meds and started smoking again. He says inappropriate things, is scary forgetful, quick to anger and refuses to do anything besides work. I'm not giving up on him. He's been my best friend and been through more than I could survive yet he's always been positive, happy and uplifting until these past few years. I've talked to him, cried to him. His friends and coworkers are calling me to tell me their concerns and it sounds like he may be fired if he doesn't get his act straight. This from a man who took one sick day in 13 years and put in countless hours of unpaid overtime. My mom refuses to say anything to him because he starts screaming that she and everyone else are against him-I'd never heard him yell while growing up. My brother lives out of the area and doesn't see all of this. I've called the dr and he's very concerned but says there's nothing He can do unless I can get my dad to the clinic. There's so much more I could get in to but basically I just need to know if anyone has any creative ideas how to get him to the dr. I can drive him there but I know he'll refuse to get out of the truck. I'm scared, alone and don't know where else to turn.
What if the clinic did a "routine" letter or call to Dad saying it was time to update his tetanus shot or some other minor matter? It sounds like the doctor is on your side and may be willing to do something like this. But how likely would Dad be to accept it?
If he does get suspended or fired, I wonder if his employer would reconsider if Dad sees a doctor and, if appropriate, accept treatment? Even better would be for the employer to insist on a medical exam as a condition of continued employment. I wonder if any of his coworkers who have contacted you might be willing to take up this cause with personnel?
It sounds like Dad is depressed. That can be treated. It is possible he is experiencing dementia or other cognitive problems. Those may or may not be curable but symptoms can be treated. IF you can get him into the doctor. I wish I had a magic wand for that.
The husband of my very good friend was depressed for years after having heart surgery. He was told by doctor after doctor that this was common and was easily treated but he absolutely refused to take an antidepressant. My friend was at her wits' end, and was considering divorce. And then her husband had an illness that sent him to the hospital. They simply put him on an antidepressant along with his other treatments. He was a new person! No one was glad to see him in the hospital, but it saved his marriage, and greatly improved his (and his family's) quality of life. I hate to say that it would be good if your father broke his leg or came down with pneumonia, but if something like that happens, take full advantage of it.
I hope other posters can share tricks and techniques of getting someone to see a doctor.