What is a good job for my 75 year old dad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's mostly there. I think he needs to stay active and be helpful to feel better about himself. I will look into animal shelter also, we tried giving him things to plant but it became an ordeal and he would plant them in random places like the middle of the lawn and then we would have to move them. I tasked him with putting up birdhouses and he used packaging tape to tape them to the sides of our house .. the list goes on...

This is almost troll level. If this is real, you seem to be in some deep denial. Your dad is not cognitively capable of working or even volunteering. You need to get him assessed for dementia. And look for some sort of day program for seniors.

This. When I had my first born a neighbor who just had her mother move in tried to pawn her mother off on me all day. She said she was "sharp as a tack", raised 5 kids, loved to take care of babies. It would be like a free nanny. I declined. She started showering me with gifts, So creepy. I met the mom at a neighborhood gathering and she was senile-totally unsafe to be around a baby without 100% supervision. The woman was looking for free eldercare claiming she would give me a free nanny. She could have harmed a newborn and caused s seriously disturbing situation for her elderly mother instead of just having her mother in a better setting or hiring help. A few months later her mom had a bad fall and ended in rehabilitation and then AL.

[Anonymous]

OP here. He still drives and his last job had some driving involved. He loves to drive but has gotten worse at it. Thanks for all the suggestions. They live in a retirement community that has frequent events and gatherings but never goes to anything. Says its for "old people". I'm sure that is a probably a common way of being for people his age. Grumpy, stubborn and think they know the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's mostly there. I think he needs to stay active and be helpful to feel better about himself. I will look into animal shelter also, we tried giving him things to plant but it became an ordeal and he would plant them in random places like the middle of the lawn and then we would have to move them. I tasked him with putting up birdhouses and he used packaging tape to tape them to the sides of our house .. the list goes on...

This is almost troll level. If this is real, you seem to be in some deep denial. Your dad is not cognitively capable of working or even volunteering. You need to get him assessed for dementia. And look for some sort of day program for seniors.

This. When I had my first born a neighbor who just had her mother move in tried to pawn her mother off on me all day. She said she was "sharp as a tack", raised 5 kids, loved to take care of babies. It would be like a free nanny. I declined. She started showering me with gifts, So creepy. I met the mom at a neighborhood gathering and she was senile-totally unsafe to be around a baby without 100% supervision. The woman was looking for free eldercare claiming she would give me a free nanny. She could have harmed a newborn and caused s seriously disturbing situation for her elderly mother instead of just having her mother in a better setting or hiring help. A few months later her mom had a bad fall and ended in rehabilitation and then AL.

Just saw this. I can relate, she was probably trying to get her out of her hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, not a job, but volunteering.Lots of opportunities. Also find a senior center or club for him to join.

I agree w/this.
Most volunteer positions only require a few hours or so vs. a part-time job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He still drives and his last job had some driving involved. He loves to drive but has gotten worse at it. Thanks for all the suggestions. They live in a retirement community that has frequent events and gatherings but never goes to anything. Says its for "old people". I'm sure that is a probably a common way of being for people his age. Grumpy, stubborn and think they know the best.

OP he probably should not be driving. If he has gotten worse at it, he will just decline more and more. It's not like a teen where you know chances are it will get better and better and if worried you get some booster driving sessions. If you think you can convince him to take the driving test the DMV has for seniors, do that. If not report him so he is forced to take the test. I know of several cases where people's lived were permanently altered by a senior who kept driving long past when she/he should have.

[Anonymous]

Online tutor for young kids

[Anonymous]

Spy at a senior center

[Anonymous]

Info desk volunteer at National Gallery or some such

[Anonymous]

My in laws volunteered as ushers at a small community theater, primarily handing out programs and helping people find their seats. There were folding chairs so they could watch the shows too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:cafeteria monitor at elementary school

No!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell your mom to worry about it since she is the one kicking him out of the hosue.

Yes o maybe it’s her who needs to get kicked out or at least find a job

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's mostly there. I think he needs to stay active and be helpful to feel better about himself. I will look into animal shelter also, we tried giving him things to plant but it became an ordeal and he would plant them in random places like the middle of the lawn and then we would have to move them. I tasked him with putting up birdhouses and he used packaging tape to tape them to the sides of our house .. the list goes on...

Has he always been like that with practical stuff or is it a new development? If the latter then he is indeed senile.
My 79yo dad has never been practically smart but he is awful now, like can’t figure out how to open a pill or oil bottle. Yes these things are new to him as he was always sheltered but still.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's mostly there. I think he needs to stay active and be helpful to feel better about himself. I will look into animal shelter also, we tried giving him things to plant but it became an ordeal and he would plant them in random places like the middle of the lawn and then we would have to move them. I tasked him with putting up birdhouses and he used packaging tape to tape them to the sides of our house .. the list goes on...

OP, hon. You need to open your eyes. He's not well, he's not "mostly there", and there isn't a job where this level of functioning would be acceptable. What he needs is a hobby outside the house that is supervised to keep him safe.

Not OP but someone whose father was always pretty stupid with practical things, like he didn’t know how to do very basic stuff around the house. Idk if it’s some special need or what. Now as he ages he is even worse. It’s hard to discern whether it’s from age or general inadequacy for him.

[Anonymous]

Our animal shelter volunteers mop, do laundry, do dishes etc so even if he's starting to lose it that's ok. He can also walk or play with the smaller, gentle dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our animal shelter volunteers mop, do laundry, do dishes etc so even if he's starting to lose it that's ok. He can also walk or play with the smaller, gentle dogs.

Mopping is a great way to slip and fall which in the elderly can result in breaking a hip. Small gentle dogs still can get over excited seeing a squirrel and bolt, especially if they are part terrier.

Maybe volunteer work is an option, but most likely a day center is needed where there is some supervision. My family would have said the same things about dad when I was jumping up and down saying he had full blown dementia. When he finally got the evaluation it was pretty far along and the family lore was it was sudden onset and rapid. It was gradual and they spent a loooon time in denial and sadly there were consequences.