Anonymous wrote:My mom died last year. My dad lives alone in their (huge, empty, lonely) house. He has many friends but he has to drive to them, or they drive to him. Or he drives to our house, then is afraid to drive in the dark.
He is finding it hard to keep up with the house, but he loves where he lives...He is overall active/healthy but has typical problems of a man of his age (can be forgetful, wears a hearing aid in one ear)...
He needs:
1. A smaller, more compact home that "looks" like his home
2. Easy access to meals/dining (ie, dining every night, a clubhouse - otherwise we either will feed him or else he eats junk food/dinner out)
3. Easy access to seminars, exhibits, etc (he is a former professor, loves to read)
4. Someone to help with housekeeping
5. Some sort of structure around medical appts -- as in, someone he could ask if his hearing aid isn't working right, blood pressure feels low, etc.
Here's the thing -- sounds like a retirement village would be good. However, I think he would also need more help as he gets older -- he has dementia/Alzheimer's in his family and is already a bit forgetful (not in danger of hurting himself, but both his parents died of Alz. as did his brother...I can see the writing on the wall).
If this were your dad, what would you suggest? What "type" of home/community?
Agree with those who suggest taking a look at Ingleside or similar communities. Also, just want to say that you're a good daughter -- thoughtful, attentive, observant and clear-eyed. Best of luck to you and your dad!