My mother passed away last year and he admited that he is depressed lately because of the holidays. I told him how I deal with it, [I avoid all of it]. When he see's other people with families it reminds him of his loss. Most middle ages single people know how to deal with it but he is near 80. He won't exercise at all and he drifts back into these old stories over and over again. I always try to be nice and I am staying with him for a reason. I wish I could get him to stop drinking alcohol but it is too late. I am a non-drinker so I can't preach and I have the feeling that very soon I will be writing about his death. It is hard to change older people and I have tried to get him to do other things with very little success. I am not trying to run his life, I just want him to try to do more than eat, play cards and watch TV. Any suggestions?
2006-11-25 17:45:42 · 3 answers · asked by BS 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I work in a nursing home and tend to see a lot of this. There is really nothing medically you can do for him because I am sure you understand then mentality of it all. The most you can do is let him talk to you. Knowing that you are there is more than enough. I'm many of us can't imagine what it is like to lose someone after decades of being incredibly close to them. I am sorry I do not have many suggestions for you. You could possibly find him some friends somewhere, although im not quite sure how that would work out. I guess the only thing you can do is keep urging him to do more with his life. i probably did not help at all, but good luck.
2006-11-25 17:53:37 · answer #1 · answered by kristyn B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grief is a personal process. Offer him activitites. BY the way avoiding all of it is not a solution its simply avoiding facing your own grief. The two of you are a family. DO something together .
2006-11-26 01:49:48 · answer #2 · answered by fancyname 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he is dealing with it the only way he knows keep trying.
2006-11-26 15:20:48 · answer #3 · answered by duc602 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋