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He lives at home, alone, since my mom passed away. He says he feels lonely, but I'm unable to move to support him.
Anyone had a similar experience?

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Dad might enjoy being a member of a civic club such as Civitan, Kiwanis, or Rotary. They welcome older members and get them involved in things that the club does, such as helping put flags up at businesses around town on holidays, and working at club fund raisers, such as barbecues and garage sales. They might meet twice a month or so for lunch at a restaurant for a business meeting and entertainment. Another member might provide transportation for dad if he needs it. I've known lots of people who participated in civic clubs, some of them 50-year members! It must be fun or they wouldn't last that long.
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If Loneliness vs declining adls is the issue, you might consider hiring a companionship aide. Given that you’re not there, it would be best to work with an agency to find this person.
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LISTEN TO GEATON! I cannot emphasize how important it is to have your dad close to you; close enough so you can be there with 5 minutes to half hour out.
He'd rather be with you, close to family..
You said his friends and his community is shrinking..hopefully this would be a fresh start; a new beginning.,,
Talk with him now and start the discussion.

i moved my aunt down the street. She was able to take her walker and walk up to my home.. I moved my mom close to me. It helped out my stress.
When their needs changed, more hands on, I moved them both into one board n care.. a one-stop shop..8 minute drive..

my friend moved her great aunt from back east to her state in the west, what a move! But it helped them both out. You can't really take care of a loved one long distance. It just doesn't seem to work as well, for both parties.
When you are in the sandwich of life caring for your elders, and your kids, and wanting to see your grandkids can become overwhelming., being close by distance is so worth it. Please move dad closer to you.
Please start looking for Dad's new dr by you, look at assisted living places by you. Start conversations with dad, and figure the best time to move him.
PLEASE CONSIDER GEATON's message.
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You do not mentionhow old Dad is. If he has the money, he may do well moving to an Assisted living. He will have a nice room to himself, a bath and a kitchenette. He will be able to go down to a dining room for meals. There are activites, outings and socialization. Aides to help him with his ADLs. He gets his laundry done and his room cleaned.
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finlaycrasnier Sep 6, 2026
That would be ideal...financing it is the difficulty
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Adult Day Programs.
Your local Senior Center probably has plenty going on and many have day trips they arrange. My local Senior Center asks for Volunteers that can make calls to members that are homebound. A phone call checks in on them and gives a bit of conversation to an otherwise quiet day. He could be a Volunteer or he could be one getting a phone call.
If he is able Schools need volunteers to help teachers, some schools hire monitors for lunch room and playground.
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PeggySue2020 Sep 6, 2026
Monitors in public schools tend to be paid paraprofessionals.
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Since elders like your Dad have very few things they are now able -- and willing -- to do, becoming their Entertainment Committee will just burn you out because they have a lot of hours of every day to fill up.

Also, maybe he is depressed? This is extremely common in elders, and especially those who have experienced loss. Please consider getting him to his PCP to discuss meds to help him.

And, sometimes short-term memory impairment causes them to feel lonely or bored because they don't remember they were just "entertained".

The best solution would for him to transition to a good, reputable AL that has a continuum of care and an Activities Director who schedules weekly events. Many facilities have this. At some point your Dad won't be able to live on his own anymore. That day is coming quickly. What is his plan for this? What's your plan for when this day comes? Don't wait for a crisis to make decisions -- you will cut down his options for a sustainable solution. If you are his only child, the logical thing would be for him to move close to you (and not the other way around). He won't like this idea, but you won't like having to pull up stakes on your own established life and move, only to find it still won't make him "happy" or solve all the problems that come with age-related decline.

If your Dad doesn't have a PoA, then I strongly suggest you or someone (if you have siblings) start working on this asap so that when the inevitable happens (he can't live on his own anymore) then the PoA can step up to find solutions.
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finlaycrasnier Sep 6, 2026
Thank you Geaton

It looks like assisted living near me is the move...unfortunately it can get a little pricey, but I will ask around the family to sort something out and support him financially.

PoA is already sorted :)
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If he has “a church community”, let them know that this is the time he needs them. Their community needs to give back to the people who have given in before.
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finlaycrasnier Sep 6, 2026
Will do, thank you
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Does he have any family nearby who are willing to hang out with him and take him to lunch or take a painting class together?
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finlaycrasnier Sep 6, 2026
No family nearby - he has some select friends, but they are slowly passing away...

Also has church community, but his health means he is spending less time with them.
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Is there a senior center nearby that has social activities?
Perhaps they have outings to museums or stores or parks?
Small day trips?
it may be too soon for him..
Baby steps..

do any of the gyms nearby have excercise classes for senior citizens?

sometimes local parks do. Check his library, sometimes they will post activities on their website.
As will city halls.
Is he healthy and physically fit to do physical activity like perhaps Pickleball lessons, bowling or getting into a chess or backgammon group?
Is there an Elks club nearby. Perhaps you can check that out and have a tour and see if he wants he to join the club.
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finlaycrasnier Sep 6, 2026
Physical stuff not really suitable for him unfortunately as he has declining mobility

He still can do some things (coaches golf once a week), but gets tired very quickly.

Senior centre is a great idea - thanks
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How old and independent is your dad?

How long has it been since mom
passed away?

Grieving time is different for everyone.
i am sorry for your loss..

tell dad about this website. It may help
him to understand he is not alone in this world of loss..

it has helped me..

is dad close withany neighbors:friends close by?
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finlaycrasnier Sep 6, 2026
thanks for your kind words

neighbours and friends nearby who help, but unfortunately they are getting old too...many of his friends have passed away.
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My dad was deeply lonely after my mom died. It only got worse with continued losses of other family and friends. He did volunteer work at several places, was involved in many church activities, went to the local seniors center for lunch and activities, and went to the fitness center for seniors. Later, as his own health declined, he spent hours on the phone catching up with people. He also took Zoloft to help with the sadness. It was a big help. Encourage your dad to get out and become involved in his community and reconnect with those he knew in the past, from work or other places. Ultimately it’s on him to make the effort. Know that antidepressant medication can make a positive impact
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finlaycrasnier Sep 6, 2026
This experience feels very similar to whats going on....minus the Zoloft.

Thank you for the advise. He is unfortunately losing a lot of friends from age-related issues too - he was involved with his community (loved golf) but also his physical health is declining...

Aside from the Zoloft, what else did you recommend/do? I'll look into getting him some, but unfortunately he is quite anti-drug.
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Do not disrupt your life and move in order for him to become dependent on you.

There is so much he can do. Volunteer, for anything. Sign up for a class, of any kind. Go to a senior center -- just about any community has one, whether open every day or on certain days of the week. Libraries have book clubs that meet in person. Animal shelters can sometimes use volunteers. Many McDonald's locations have Romeo groups -- Retired Old Men Eating Out! Usually at breakfast. Sitting in a park, he might begin to recognize regulars. You might look for local grief support groups, where he could meet with others who have lost their spouses. Along with meeting the people there, they can advise him on how to find new friends.
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finlaycrasnier Sep 6, 2026
Thank you, great ideas
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Do you need “to look after him”? Would that be good for you? Or in fact good for him?

Talk to him about how he can move on to looking after himself. If he reads, take himself down to the library. If he likes to talk, find out about a seniors chat group. If he is capable, volunteering he can do. Perhaps the best you could do is to ask for a weekly report from him about what he has done to rebuild his own life. It might give him the incentive to sort things out a bit.
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finlaycrasnier Sep 6, 2026
No - but I want to help support him when looking after himself. A weekly report is a great idea, thank you.
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