Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

My father is 88 yo, almost incontinent and can barely walk so is almost housebound. He told me today he no longer wants to live. Any advice?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
Carla1951 · 70-79, F
About your Father, you urgently need to contact his doctor and inform him of his possible suicidal intent.
Spend more time with him. Suggest of your doctor to prescribe an anti-depressant or at the very least, ask his doctor advice.
Also are you spending enough Quality time with him yourself.
Your Dad may also feel he's a burden to you. Does he have a wheel Chair? Walks in the sunshine and fresh air helps wonders. Take him to a park. Listen for the birds that fly over head. Create a picnic lunch. Drive over to the park and watch and listen to the children as they play.
Ask him questions of his life as a child. Try to get him to recall situations he had to deal with when he was young.
THIS will allow his brain to open up and reveal hidden passages. Get him to talk about mischief he did with his brothers or friends.
THEN...remind him that Yesterday is gone, Tomorrow is waiting to Shimmer and Shine.
Just hope you don't think my words too HOOKEY!
If he was a man of Faith, remind him. Have him describe how he first felt when he met your Mom. Push Push on that brain. Present thoughts you want him to recall. Ask him what was a favorite pastime when he was young. Ask the worst thing he did to disappoint HIS Father. *simply keep his mind working. And if he can't recal, you might then add a memory of the two of you when the two of you did together when YOU were younger. Then gift him with a new memory. Let him know of a time when YOU were feeling down, and He was there to embrace your sadness.