Need some help and advice

Hey guys,

 

I need some help with something.  This is kinda of a long story but here goes.  Dad has been doing pretty good up until New Years.  A couple of days before the fell in the middle of the night.  Thanks goodness he was not hurt and did not hit his head, but he did not seem to know what was going on.  All that day he seemed kinda out of it and mixed up.  The next morning he slide out of the bed, not hurt.  Again that day he seemed very confused and mixed up.  At the same time this was going on the pharmacy had given him a different brand of fentenayl pain patches.  They would not stick even with extra tape and a couple of times when I went to change them they were off completly.  When I called the doctor about his confusion he seemed to think it was withdrawl from the fentenayl.  When I got other patches that were the correct brand he seemed to get some better.

However, there still seems to be some confusion with day and night and waking up thinking that someone is calling for him. 

The other issue is his driving.  The transmission went out in his call around Thanksgiving.  We decided to junk it and I get a truck.  It was something I always have wanted.  Dad used to drive everywhere and often take me to work.  Mom and I used to want him doing this because it gave him something to do and feel important.  Now since the confusion and disorientation has started we have not been letting him drive and we think that it is time for him to stop.  But I am feeling like the mean daughter by doing this.  I know it needs to be done, but has anyone have any suggestions how to talk to him about it.

 

Also, any thoughts on the confusion and disorientation.  It is almost like he has become a child.  He goes for a scan in two weeks.  A friend suggested that I talk with the doctor about early stage Alzhimers.  Any thoughts.

Kathy and her mom.