I've learned and explained to my father that when mum is having an episode not to try and reason or argue with her but to distract her which has worked up till now. Now she is delusional all the time and has become belligerent. She won't accept that she cant walk (she can just weight bear) and is in dreadful pain because of a non-successful hip operation. She has a benign tumor in her pituitary which has been well monitored but osteoporosis has been her Waterloo. My parents live 40 miles away which could be worse. I normally stay at least one night a week with them when I take down enough home cooked meals for four nights and clean, etc. Sitting here feeling really terrible as I've some sort of virus and don't wont to drive. Over the phone I cant dissuade her that she doesn't have appointments, meetings today and that dad was too tired to drive here about - that's what he's going to do as she will just not leave him alone. She has become so single-minded and it is exhausting. My husband doesn't drive because he has complications with type 1 diabetes and I have no siblings (not that would make any difference to mum's mental state as she is so intent on getting out to these meetings). Its not the physical work attached to helping my parents it's this awful mental state and seeing what it is doing to my dear kind, patient and tolerant father. Sorry for diatribe. None of us live have lived 'normally' for several years because of this vile illness. This morning I am truly down about it.