Follow
Share
You need to research the resources in your area. Start with your County Office of Aging.

A good physical would help in determining what is going on physically. Office of Aging can evaluate his situation. If he is low income Medicaid may be able to help with home support. If he has money, he can hire an aide.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

Independent is when a person needs no help with home maintenance, shopping, cooking, getting around town, cleaning house, doing laundry, having a social life, and doing tasks of daily living, such as washing, dressing, toileting, and otherwise taking care of themselves. If your dad can do all these things, no worries!

If he can't, you hire someone to help him, find a comfy care facility where he'll have professional care, or you be his care slave. You'll need to decide what is possible. Please keep us posted!
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Fawnby
Report

That a common and admirable goal. Most of us want to stay independent. There are also realities of aging. Staying independent ends when it becomes a strain to others to keep up, or unsafe to continue. Is either of these the case for your dad?
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Daughterof1930
Report

Start reading the many questions on this forum about dealing with elderly parents that want to stay independent. It usually means the elder is stubborn and does not realize how vulnerable and dependent on others they are. Look at POA info as well.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to JustAnon
Report

What is going on with him that makes you think he cannot or currently is not "independent"?

Him being independent means that you and others are not obiting around him, managing his affairs, or maintaining his home. Often this is a romanticized notion that elders often have that comes at the cost of their children's time, energy and mental health (and sometimes their finances).

More information for context would be helpful.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

You want to ask yourself how independent is he really. How much work by you, other family and friends is going into pretending he is independent. It's a slippery slope from handling "just one task" to make his life easier to all of a sudden there is an adult child spending half their day handling all the bills, the shopping, scheduling and attending doctor's appointments, making/bringing over all his meals, running over there because the remote isn't working, etc.

Tell us more if you want to discuss more.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Slartibartfast
Report

Google says Equinunk is in PA. Click the FIND CARE tab on top of this page and A Place For Mom will be in touch to help you find care for dad. Other than that, I have no idea what a group of caregivers here on a forum can help you with.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter