Help My Grandad Want To Live!?

Question

I'm currently visiting my grandparents for a week and have noticed that my grandad has lost the will to live.

He is almost 75 years old and doesn't like to move around, he just likes to sit in the sun all day and have his cuppas that grandma makes him.

I would like to give him a purpose in life and think of things he can do at home that will make him want to keep marching on, and realise it's good to be alive.

Does anyone have any idea for hobbies or little things he can do that would be suitable for someone at this age. He has shaky hands, not very good eyesight, he has suffered a stroke so can't talk properly but still is pretty switched on, probably something that doesn't involve 'going places' or moving around too much.

Any ideas will be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

Find out some of the things he liked to do in the past and get him started again!

Did he used to play Solitaire? or any other card games? Gardening? Maybe putting in a small garden for him to fiddle with!

What about some old buddies of his that you can plan an outing with for your grandpa? Get him to take a stroll in a familiar place so he can tell you some stories!  Once you start doing a little of this at a time, he will look forward to something everyday besides eating cuppa's all day long! It might energize him a little more everyday!

Good Luck ;o)

Answer 2

This is a hard question for me to answer, because I have a mother who just turned 78, has COPD (which means she is on oxygen 24/7/365 because she can't breathe without it), and broke her hip 2 years ago and now has trouble moving around. She also has days where she'd like to give up, but knows her kids and grandkids aren't ready to give her up yet. The only time she can go anywhere is to the doctor's office.

Her biggest enjoyment now is watching old game-shows on TV (like those from the 1970's, etc that she missed due to working so many years).

    Is his speech good enough that he could tell you his life story, that maybe you could put into a book? I have heard of an exercise program called "Sit and Be Fit" with simple-enough exercises that he could still sit in the sunshine  but yet get the strength back in his arms and legs.

Pets can do wonders for people, too. Or see if your local hospital has a "therapy dog" program that could help him with physical therapy.

   It's hard for grandchildren to see their favorite grandma or grandpa get older and want to give up on life. But, he has a purpose here on Earth--like we all do-- and until that purpose has been achieved, God will not call his name.

Saw these ads on a Yahoo search:

1. SIT AND BE FIT | Senior Fitness / Senior Exercise Television Program

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www.sitandbefit.org

2 Sit and Be Fit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sit_and_Be_...

3. Chairobics Sit To Be Fit Exercise Video

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4. The Sitting Exercise Training Manual

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Answer 3

I am 79 years old ,suffer with angina, and have lost my wife of 57 years,but,i have taken a like to the computer.I,m a slow typist,but i have plenty of time,so who cares. I talk to people of all ages,from many parts of the world, Life still has things to offer so tell grandad and let him have a try with your PC.

Answer 4

sudoku?

find some world records that he could do at home in a chair.

most pages read out of a book in a certain amount of time

maybe he would go for the oldest person in the world. that would make him want to live.

you gotta be creative.

CHado

Answer 5

It's hard for younger people to understand but people get to an age when they really don't mind whether they wake up in the morning or not. My mother is almost 80 and she quite happily admits that. Look at all your Grandfather has been through - a stroke, can't talk, can't see properly, isn't mobile. Would you want to live like that for another 10 years? You want to give him a purpose because you want him around and that's completely understandable, and a lovely thought. He's lucky to have a grandchild that cares so much. But you say he likes to sit in the sun and have his cups of tea - so let him enjoy that. The best thing you can do for him is spend as much time with him as you can, talking to him about his life and learning as much as you can from him. He is still "switched on" so good conversation is the best gift you can give him. Best wishes.

Answer 6

In England, we would all love to be able to sit in the sun drinking tea.

It sounds like heaven to me!

My grandad was a master carpenter and did projects for the queen. When he got older he couldn't do this anymore so he took up gardening.

But your grandad has probably worked hard all his life, maybe he deserves a break and can enjoy the relaxation.

Also because he doesn't move around a lot does not mean he has lost the will to live.