Created A Monster!
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Texas
As a medic in a hospital cardiac unit I see this condition a lot. I'm sorry you guys are gonna / are going through this. I say that I'm lucky enough to have lost my dad at a young age. He was youthful, strong, light hearted and wise. And thats how I get to remember him.
However, he passed when I was only 21... wish it had been much later. But the memory of him youthful and strong is a little bit of a silver lining.
My dad rode a mix of bikes through out his life, he bought his first Harley at 53. One year before he passed. We always wanted to ride together but I was unskilled and had no way to afford a bike. We always said "someday". Well, This year I received a surprise. $10,000 he put away for me as an inheritance. I used it to purchase my first Harley. So I ride in his memory.
You're awesome Geezr! Best of luck to you and your dad.
However, he passed when I was only 21... wish it had been much later. But the memory of him youthful and strong is a little bit of a silver lining.
My dad rode a mix of bikes through out his life, he bought his first Harley at 53. One year before he passed. We always wanted to ride together but I was unskilled and had no way to afford a bike. We always said "someday". Well, This year I received a surprise. $10,000 he put away for me as an inheritance. I used it to purchase my first Harley. So I ride in his memory.
You're awesome Geezr! Best of luck to you and your dad.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 474
As an activity director of a dementia care unit I was inspired to see your post.
My Pateints are always asking about my bike. I think the fantasy of riding one represents the freedom that the diease process stole from them.
Glad to see the two of you are facing his greatest battle together.
It's going to be tough road ahead, don't go it alone, take care of yourself too.
My Pateints are always asking about my bike. I think the fantasy of riding one represents the freedom that the diease process stole from them.
Glad to see the two of you are facing his greatest battle together.
It's going to be tough road ahead, don't go it alone, take care of yourself too.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 9
From: 3rd Stone From The Sun
My 82 year old dad has early onset dementia, and combined with moving into an assisted living place in April, not being at his house, not having his dogs anymore, failing the driver evaluation test, not being able to get the words out because of the fluid around his brain & the shunt he has because of it, and hating his hearing aids, he's been pretty depressed. I see him frequently, and I've stopped to see him on my bike once in awhile, but about a month ago I said, "cmon, let's go for a ride." He's hooked! Don't have to twist his arm at all! Had to get a folding footstool from Walmart to help him get on (can carry it on the luggage rack), but he's riding almost a hundred miles now. (with an ice cream stop now & then!) If you know a senior like that who can get on the bike, give it a try sometime. They might just love it. It's a great diversion for awhile, and just about the best therapy!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 485
Likes: 9
From: Central PA
wish i had the ***** to take my dad for a ride....
he's had a shunt to drain the fluid around his brain for as long as i can remember and reality is fading fast for him. he's always been a bit loopy but recently had a 2 week long episode that has me wondering how long is left. in the course of 2 weeks he managed to sell half his stuff, race around and destroy my moms camaro, stole my riding mower and drove it 3 miles on MIXED GAS i had for my quads, mental hospital said he was fine and shipped him home, he started smoking pot and jacked up a bunch of debt buying jewelry and trinkets, went to jail for the first time in his life. he got in so much trouble in 2 weeks nobody could believe it.
back to the point, he's in his early 50's but is super wirey and jumpy and fading between reality and his own world. i've taken my mom on the bike quite a few times but have been afraid to put him on due to the way he jerks and jumps around. every move he makes is exaggerated and you cant hold him still. im sure he'd love it.
i probably wouldnt be as afraid to put him on if it werent for the bad experience taking the gf for a ride when she freaked out on one of those off ramps that do a complete uphill loop and cross over top of the highway. she started freaking out thinking we were leaned over too far and leaned the oposite way and about put us in a ditch.
as of now i only really trust taking my mom and my 7 yo for rides, my grandfather had harley's so my mom knows how to be a good passenger and my 7yo follows directions very well and is a great passenger.
he's had a shunt to drain the fluid around his brain for as long as i can remember and reality is fading fast for him. he's always been a bit loopy but recently had a 2 week long episode that has me wondering how long is left. in the course of 2 weeks he managed to sell half his stuff, race around and destroy my moms camaro, stole my riding mower and drove it 3 miles on MIXED GAS i had for my quads, mental hospital said he was fine and shipped him home, he started smoking pot and jacked up a bunch of debt buying jewelry and trinkets, went to jail for the first time in his life. he got in so much trouble in 2 weeks nobody could believe it.
back to the point, he's in his early 50's but is super wirey and jumpy and fading between reality and his own world. i've taken my mom on the bike quite a few times but have been afraid to put him on due to the way he jerks and jumps around. every move he makes is exaggerated and you cant hold him still. im sure he'd love it.
i probably wouldnt be as afraid to put him on if it werent for the bad experience taking the gf for a ride when she freaked out on one of those off ramps that do a complete uphill loop and cross over top of the highway. she started freaking out thinking we were leaned over too far and leaned the oposite way and about put us in a ditch.
as of now i only really trust taking my mom and my 7 yo for rides, my grandfather had harley's so my mom knows how to be a good passenger and my 7yo follows directions very well and is a great passenger.
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