What a depressing way to begin the morning….The daughter of Academy-Award nominated actor Peter Falk, 81, says her father has Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Catherine Falk, filed legal papers at Los Angeles County Superior Court claiming her father “forgets events that have occurred and remembers events that did not occur.”

The Columbo star also sustained a head injury six months ago as a result of a car accident where he “lost control” while driving and can no long “recognize familiar people, places and things.”

Catherine says she’s afraid her father can easily be “deceived into transferring away property,” and that he needs “full-time custodial care for his health and safety.”