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Old 11-03-2011, 08:05 PM   #1
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Default Dad Wants To Go Camping

My Father, who is 72 has told me he wants to go on a camping trip before the weather gets too bad. He has always enjoyed camping which is what got me into the outdoors. I'm not sure whether to take him or not. Do you think if I called his doctor he would discuss Dad with me?


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Old 11-03-2011, 08:16 PM   #2
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What's the doc got to do with it? Is your Dad sick or something? I hope you are not debating the issue because he is 72 years of age. Plenty of people are still doing week long backpacks at eighty. I plan on being one of them some day. And I am fat and lazy. Take him camping by all means.


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Old 11-03-2011, 08:28 PM   #3
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Well, he does have a few health issues, one being high blood pressure. But it just concerns me that he is older and I worry. Sort of a turning around of the parental worry legacy.


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Old 11-03-2011, 08:41 PM   #4
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I appreciate your concern Catseye. Today, my son and I went elk hunting. A successful trip because we didn't shoot any elk but did spend many happy hours together.

When my Dad got old, I would go down to the nursing home, load him in my pickup surrounded by pillows and strapped in tight and away we would go to the mountains. Kick down to 4 wheel and up through the timber with him laughing like a kid. My sisters would scream at me about what would happen "if"...... They were concerned he would die up there. Well, "if" didn't happen, he laid like a vegetable the last 6 months of his life, moaning "what did I do to deserve this", most time not even knowing we were there. I'll never forget those times with my father in the mountains and, unfortunately, I'll never forget the agony he went through those last few months. And I still wish the "if" would have happened so it would have spared him those agonizing months in the hospital.

Take your Dad camping, enjoy the happy moments. Don't worry about the "if".


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Old 11-03-2011, 08:51 PM   #5
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My grandpa was an outdoorsman, whose time in the woods came to an abrupt halt in his early 70s due to terrible crippling arthritis. From the time he could no longer hike, until the time he died, every single time I saw him he told me, "make sure your grandma gets to go hiking." I have done that. She was coming on multi-day backpacking trips with me until she was 82 or 83. She can no longer do that at age 87, but we make sure she gets out for some camping and day hikes suited to her current abilities. She has had a number of small strokes, and has some other health problems as well. I understand that something may go wrong sometime, but I keep taking her to the woods because it makes her happy. Spending all of her time at home does not make her happy. I sure hope my kids and grandkids will do the same for me when I'm old.

As far as whether your dad's doc will discuss his health issues with you, he certainly should not unless your dad lacks the cognitive abilities to make his own decisions. People don't forfeit the right to privacy just because they get older. If your dad doesn't mind you talking with his doc, he can sign a release of information to facilitate that. I understand and respect that you are acting out of love and concern for your dad, but think it would be a bad idea to call the doctor without your dad's knowledge and consent. It is demeaning and likely to hurt your relationship. That is my advice as a medical social worker with almost a decade of geriatric experience.


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Old 11-03-2011, 08:55 PM   #6
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Wise advice, Grandpa. I would take my Dad if he was still here. He loved going out in the woods, if not hunting, then just walking and enjoying the day. He was the one who taught me to do everything in the outdoors. He taught me conservation, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, everything. He could do anything and everything. I miss him too.


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Old 11-04-2011, 09:20 AM   #7
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Let the man enjoy. I know guys that age that do week and 2 weeks long solo backpacking trips. All depends on an individuals health. Heck if it is is something that he loves will be good for the blood pressure. Will be some exercise and some relaxation. 72 is not that old might be amazed at what he is able to do if his health is good. Working in a pharmacy I can assure that high blood pressure is not that big of a deal. If he is taking his medication and it has it under control that is no worry.


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Old 11-04-2011, 09:30 AM   #8
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Take him. Do it.


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Old 11-08-2011, 10:03 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CatsEye View Post
My Father, who is 72 has told me he wants to go on a camping trip before the weather gets too bad. He has always enjoyed camping which is what got me into the outdoors. I'm not sure whether to take him or not. Do you think if I called his doctor he would discuss Dad with me?
I don't see why he wouldn't. You're dad's doctor may not necessarily go into the specifics, but he/she will be able to tell you enough whether it's safe to bring your dad out for camping and which activities can/can't he do.


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Old 11-08-2011, 10:47 AM   #10
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I see no issues with it either but I can understand the concern and it does make sense. Others are right too, you can speak with your fathers doctor about it and without releasing any medical info that would end up conflicting with the hippa laws you should be just fine.


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