Posted on 06/02/2009 11:53:38 AM PDT by Steelfish
Judge Puts 'Columbo' Star Falk in Conservatorship
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
LOS ANGELES — A judge placed former "Columbo" star Peter Falk in a conservatorship Monday to ensure his daughter could occasionally visit the ailing 81-year-old actor.
Falk's wife of more than 30 years, Shera, will remain in control of his personal care and affairs. Falk has advanced dementia, likely from Alzheimer's disease, one of his doctors testified Monday.
Catherine Falk petitioned in December to take over her father's affairs despite a sometimes contentious relationship with Falk and his wife. By court order, she will be allowed a 30-minute visit with her father every other month.
Falk's condition virtually ensures he will not remember the meetings, his doctor said.
The Emmy-winning actor slipped rapidly into dementia since a series of dental operations in late 2007, Dr. Stephen Read testified Monday, the final day of a two-day conservatorship hearing.
Read said it was unclear whether Falk's condition worsened as a result of anesthesia or some other reaction to the operation.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
“Just one more question...”
Sad to see him end this way.
Loved the episode with Jack Cassidy as a magician.
Heck of an actor. Sorry to hear he’s suffering.
Criminies ... that seems kind of cold...
Albeit, it certainly is a very cold and cruel disease. Very sad.
2 months (figure 30-31 days) is 87840 minutes... of which she can have 30 in her fathers ending days. Gee, thanks your honor.
prayers up for columbo...always loved him...a good man...
you would think someone with his means would have planned for this day. He should of had a living will that actually spells out his wishes.
more..(yahoo)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2262743/posts
The Emmy-winning actor slipped rapidly into dementia since a series of dental operations in late 2007...
This part confused me...slipped rapidly into dementia after dental operations?
serpentine Shel, serpentine
If memory serves, Falk is a Canadian and there was a quite acrimonious and very expensive (for him) divorce which was handled under Canadian law. The reason I remember that is that, prior to that, the most expensive divorce in Canadian history was said to have been one of Gordon Lightfoot’s. There may be “bad blood” between this daughter and the wife. That would be understandable, but still should be put aside at this point for everyones’ sake.
while the bullets were flying....funny as hell
He had dental work done, and shortly thereafter started declining rapidly. The article suggests either a reaction to the anesthesia or to one of the procedures he had done. People often don’t realize how serious dental work can be, even something as apparently mundane as a root canal involves large nerves very close to the brain.
Sounds like a greedy, undeserving child is wanting what’s left of daddy’s money & possessions even though his loving wife of 30 yrs is able to care and provide for him.
Falk is a native NYer.
I believe the daugher is on the right?
Same happened to my mother. At age 78, she needed to have an aortic aneurysm repaired. The operation was a complete success, but mentally, she was damaged afterward and unable to live alone any longer. She still knew who we were, but lost much of her short-term memory and ability to function independently.
A few years later, a bleeding ulcer needed repair and again, another technical success, but mentally, she was gone forever after that operation. She knew none of us and lived a few months longer in a total fog. Thankfully, she did not linger in that state for years like so many others.
On the second surgery, we quizzed the anesthetist before hand and were assured that anesthesia does not accelerate the dementia process.
I have to say that is total BS. I'm convinced for some people like my mother, it does.
Perhaps the dental work had little to do with it. Some older folks just develop dementia-—it happens!
Would be interested to know if there are medical studies relating some procedures to initiate dementia symptoms?
See my post in #20.
It happens. I have seen it.
Prayers for Mr. Faulk. It's a sad way to go.
I have told my kids that if I ever get Altzimers, don't bother visiting me cause I won't know you anyway...(they think that is horrible but it is the truth)
Free Republics spell check does not have some words in it, so excuse the spelling of Altzimers...don't know if that is correct or not....:O)
I wonder who I am confusing him with? My brain ain’t what it used to was - and it was never much anyway.
It does happen that anesthesia can affect older people. It’s also known in geriatric medicine. My late mother started her decline after surgery to replace her knee. (The first knee surgery did not do that to her, however.) It started with paranoia and went on from there.
I am not quite sure about that. My neighbor’s husband has pretty advanced alzheimers. He doesn’t know us, because he had it when they moved in. From time to time, we watch him for her. and he wants to know why we are there, we need to go home, etc.
But, he knows her. And he gets very upset when routines change. Every once in awhile I will get her out of the house for something, and he knows. He is very destructive on those days, trying to keep her from going... kind of like a small child I suppose.
After each operation, the change was abrupt and immediate and for all of our family and professional medical efforts, seemingly irreversible. Something in her brain was badly damaged from the anesthesia.
Of course what I say to my kids is 1/2 jest, because some patients do not remember people and its hard on the family because the body may be in fairly good health..Violence is somewhat normal is some stages...Bless you for trying to help your neighbor, she needs all the support she can get...With most, there comes a time when a nursing home is the only way to go because of the amount of care someone needs...Its a really hard decision if it is a spouse or parent, but if the decision comes to that, the person has to fight guilt. And may need encouragement to see that the decision she made was the right one..
If I had such a neighbor, I would just kinda watch for signs that the violent nature of the patient is not being used on his caretaker...
The patient is really not responsible even if violent because of the damage the disease does to the brain....But sometimes the caretaker needs protection also. God Bless you for your help with her....you are truly doing Gods work in assisting this caretaker even in small ways. its a nasty job to see and take care of one that you love and they just disintegrate.
The one on the left has little trust in her eyes.
It’s such a tragedy on so many levels... it hurts to know that the mom you remember is NOT the one inhabiting that body there. It hurts like little else except losing them.
I think we and her children gently coax her toward that. But as she says, 60+ years, she isn’t ready to let go. There is not doubt, the disease is MUCH harder on the survivors.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.