New Job
I started a new part time job today. I will be working 2 days a week a few hours each day. Possibly more in the future. I am helping an elderly gentlemen. He is widowed and lives alone. I have known his daughter for about 15 years. His granddaughter and my oldest daughter went to school together. I am so excited about it. He was very sweet today. He took me out to lunch at the local diner. I then took him food shopping.
His daughter (my friend) works full time and doesn't like that he is alone so much. I will be taking him out doing whatever he will enjoy. I was told already that we will be eating out often because he enjoys it. He will also pick up the bill. I can handle that. I will also be doing lite cleaning. Today I went through his kitchen. I cleaned out the fridge and got rid of old food. I cleaned out several drawers in his kitchen. I mailed bills for him. I know I am going to love doing this.
I have several things planned that are free to do. He doesn't have a library card so I want to get that set up for him. I will then sign him up for a few classes that he might enjoy. He loves dogs so I want to take him to the dog park. I will bring a folding chair for him. He really liked that idea. He hasn't been to a movie in years so I will use my connections and we will go see a movie. He also said he would like to go to the mall. We can people watch. Anyone have any ideas of what else we can do to go out? He can walk fine but only for short amounts of time. He will not use a wheelchair. So no long distance items. Stairs are not the best for him. He does not like being in the sun or being out in high temps. I want to try to figure out some outings that he will be able to do and enjoy. The weather is beautiful now so we can be outside but in a month it will be hot. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
His daughter (my friend) works full time and doesn't like that he is alone so much. I will be taking him out doing whatever he will enjoy. I was told already that we will be eating out often because he enjoys it. He will also pick up the bill. I can handle that. I will also be doing lite cleaning. Today I went through his kitchen. I cleaned out the fridge and got rid of old food. I cleaned out several drawers in his kitchen. I mailed bills for him. I know I am going to love doing this.
I have several things planned that are free to do. He doesn't have a library card so I want to get that set up for him. I will then sign him up for a few classes that he might enjoy. He loves dogs so I want to take him to the dog park. I will bring a folding chair for him. He really liked that idea. He hasn't been to a movie in years so I will use my connections and we will go see a movie. He also said he would like to go to the mall. We can people watch. Anyone have any ideas of what else we can do to go out? He can walk fine but only for short amounts of time. He will not use a wheelchair. So no long distance items. Stairs are not the best for him. He does not like being in the sun or being out in high temps. I want to try to figure out some outings that he will be able to do and enjoy. The weather is beautiful now so we can be outside but in a month it will be hot. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Hi Mcoia and first of all congratulations on your new part time job :).
ReplyDeleteSome suggestions might be
- to go to the park with a pond and sit and watch the ducks or birds and feed them. Usually you can find a nice shady tree to sit under with a chair.
- Go to the zoo even though he may have a short walking distance he could still see some of the exhibits there.
- Botanical gardens where you can see lots of flowers, butterfly exhibits and the like.
- Some historical sites or buildings that may have significance to his childhood with easy accessibility.
- You could have a crossword challenge amongst yourselves and buy a few crossword books or even adult colouring books if he is into doing things like that.
- Set up a mini potted garden for him at home that he could manage would give him other things to do too.
- Do some woodworking together such as make a bread board or something simple if he likes working with his hands.
I hope this helps give you some more ideas.
Sewingcreations15 (Lorna).
Thanks for some great ideas. I was asking him what he likes to do and he likes to play cards and games so we will be doing lots of that.
DeleteHow wonderful that you found something you will enjoy, and how wonderful it will be for his daughter also. We recently hired someone to be with Mom a few hours a day and it has made so much of a difference for her and for us.
ReplyDeleteThat is great that you have someone to help you with your mom. I know my friend was worried about letting a stranger in with her dad. There are some pretty bad stories about people abusing and stealing from seniors. They had tried an agency and it didn't work out for them. She is much more comfortable having me help him since we have known each other for so long. She said she always wanted a sister so now I am one.
DeleteCheck local senior center. They may have special outings, classes, or other items e can pick and choose from
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I know the church does some things with seniors too so I have to look into that too.
DeleteThe best job ever!! Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI belong to a social group for widows and widowers (no grief counseling, just get togethers with people who have been trhough the experience of losing their spouse). You may want to look to see if there's something like that in your area. Also, concerts in the park (if you have them), especially when the music is from his era -- maybe take a picnic lunch and enjoy some music while you eat, senior center or your local government's special events for seniors, museum / historical site special events or park district events, maybe take in a minor-league baseball game if he enjoys baseball and there is a team near you, fishing ...
ReplyDeleteI will have to look into a widowers group. All of the concerts in the park are at night near me. I am with him during the day so that won't work. But great ideas. It is hard because he can't walk for long. I put a folding chair in my car for him so no matter where we go he can always take a break.
DeleteMy Uncle whom mom took care of as he aged, loved to play cards, and games. He also loved to help cook, like cookies, he loved to make jam and can fruit. He just loved to help do things that made his life better. Mom would can and he would take home a few jars and tell his buddies he canned them himself.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet. He already told me he will help me pick my tomatoes when they are ready and eat them too.
DeleteI have been reading and enjoying your blog for quite some time but haven't commented until now. He is so fortunate to have your help and assistance and friendship. I am 83 and live alone, no longer drive but ride a city bus door-to-door that's for seniors and/or disabled. I do my own shopping, cooking, etc with help with heavy vacuuming, tub, etc. twice a month. I have a great group of friends/support group younger and would help but I want to do what I can. That being said, I am getting ready for more help. But in the meantime I'm going to try some of the activities mentioned here! A suggestion for help with the gentleman's mobility would be a seated walker. (Medicare-covered) I use one and I can walk further than with a cane and I have my own "chair" when I need to sit a spell. No wheelchair needed at this point. I know he will appreciate all your efforts. Blessings from the PNW
ReplyDeleteWelcome. Thank you for commenting. He really is insistent that he doesn't need help walking. His daughter has offered everything available. He is just very slow and can't go for long periods of time. He is 87 years young and I am not about to make him use a wheelchair if he doesn't want to. His kids can fight with him over that. I am hoping that with him getting out more frequently he will be able to walk longer distances over time. He does cook. Just easy things like eggs, grilled cheese or salmon. He has a cleaning lady that comes once a month for floors and bathrooms. I will be helping with laundry, changing sheets and vacuuming more often. We just want him to interact with people more. Staying home almost everyday by himself isn't good for him. Have a wonderful day.
DeleteSounds like a great job. I used to work with seniors in their own homes and really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt has been fun so far. I am a people person so it should be good.
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