Nick Richardson

The following information was prepared by Pat Baird, on behalf of the Richardsons:
Nick was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease  three years ago, August 2015.  At the time of his diagnosis, Debby was in the midst of dealing with all of the financial responsibilities and coping with the emotional  hardship relating to her mother's dementia . Presently, Nick is also experiencing  two types of dementia, micro vascular ischemia, which is irreversible and confirmed by MRI along with Lewey Body dementia. 
Some of what Nick is experiencing is explained by the Mayo Clinic as "a progressive disorder of the nervous system effecting movement, some experience a slow progression of symptoms.
For Nick, the progression has been rapid, and he continues to decline dramatically.  Some of the symptoms outlined by Mayo are as follows, and Nick is struggling with each of these on a recurring basis.   
Tremors - shaking that may begin in a limb, or hand, even your fingers.  Some are hard to recognize, and often occur while resting.
Slowed Movement (bradykinesia)  - over time simple tasks become difficult, and require more time to complete; your steps may become shorter, you may have difficulty getting out of a chair, or drag your feet as you walk.
Speech - your speech may become softer, may be complicated with hesitation, and slurring of words.
Lewy Bodies - microscopic substances within the brain cells, markers of Parkinson's, become more prevalent
Thinking - cognitive problems, dementia, and hallucinations, which are not very responsive to medicaions
Emotional - depression, fear, anxiety,  lethargy  and/or fatigue  (with  little or no energy for even simple tasks) 
Sleep - trouble falling asleep, staying asleep - waking frequently, causing difficulty with staying awake during the day
Nick's condition is progressing very rapidly, and  because of his current condition he is unable to utilize some of the medicine that might help.   Medicine that would help some of his symptoms cannot be used because it would adversely affect his other medications, symptoms, or general well being.  So he is struggling to get through each day and night.   As a result of this Debby has been in is a state of exhaustion, trying to care for him during the day and night.  Nick has been hospitalized, in an extended care facility, home again, and now finally in a memory care facility called Ashely Court.  Nick continues to be confused, delusional, hallucinatory, sleeping very little, but safe.