MiaMadre could not have suggested her opinions and suggestions any better---I would try to take her suggestions, as you have nothing more to loose and everything to gain. I very much like the idea od having him get involved in a senior center-as they can monitoe his situation-offer him a meal--and some will even offer to bathe him-as well as offer some light medical assistance. Best to you and your family~ Hap
MiaMadre, I really appreciate your suggestions and ideas. I agree with you as do my other siblings about not leaving him alone anymore. I've started looking for alternatives and trying to see what is available thru State funding or something similar as we all are on limited funds and hands. I will check out the nearby senior centers for day activities and try to encourage him to "help" in any way he can. Thank you.
You have listed that your father has diabetes and is 71, but not if he was evaluated for any type of dementia. Some of the 'problems' you list seem to indicate to me that this might be a possiblity. It took 10 years for our family to truly recognize the signs. Perhaps an evaluation should be done before something catastrophic happens.
It doesn't sound like he is safe being on his own, and arrangements should be made so he is not alone, even if it just mean that he goes to a senior center during the day. Of course you can do this several ways, suggest him getting involved at 'volunteering' at the senior center' to help others (even though it wouldn't be the total truth). Or perhaps he can 'visit' with another family member when you won't be home. Or some other creative idea that you can come up, so he is not alone.
Take any precautions you can to safeguard him. I can't stress this enough. It only took ONE pan left on the stove to start the kitchen on fire at my mothers house. After that my brother's solution was to UNPLUG the stove, and although that might SEEM like the solution, it was not. She tried to use matches to get it started!!! (The horror of it all still haunts me).
With regards to bathing, nagging doesn't work. Why not convince Pop to get all 'dolled up' so you can go out for walk, dinner, dancing, whatever at the senior center? Have everything set up for him, including clean clothes, soap, shampoo, towels, safe underfooting, and of course his favorite cologne! Make it a happy event! And don't nag, just encourage him. "Time for your shower Dad, follow me!"
Well, it's more that he burns whatever he's trying to cook. He has been known to forget le left things on the burner. Makes and leaves a complete mess when he is done eating or simply doesn't eat and sneaks candy/sweets whenever he can. He won't bathe or change clothes unless he is nagged and so forth.
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Best to you and your family~
Hap
I hope you and your family are well.
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It doesn't sound like he is safe being on his own, and arrangements should be made so he is not alone, even if it just mean that he goes to a senior center during the day. Of course you can do this several ways, suggest him getting involved at 'volunteering' at the senior center' to help others (even though it wouldn't be the total truth). Or perhaps he can 'visit' with another family member when you won't be home. Or some other creative idea that you can come up, so he is not alone.
Take any precautions you can to safeguard him. I can't stress this enough. It only took ONE pan left on the stove to start the kitchen on fire at my mothers house. After that my brother's solution was to UNPLUG the stove, and although that might SEEM like the solution, it was not. She tried to use matches to get it started!!! (The horror of it all still haunts me).
With regards to bathing, nagging doesn't work. Why not convince Pop to get all 'dolled up' so you can go out for walk, dinner, dancing, whatever at the senior center? Have everything set up for him, including clean clothes, soap, shampoo, towels, safe underfooting, and of course his favorite cologne! Make it a happy event! And don't nag, just encourage him. "Time for your shower Dad, follow me!"