Father's Inertia

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by rastor, May 29, 2010.

  1. rastor

    rastor New IL'ite

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    My father is in his mid-sixties and we have been noticing that after retirement he seems contented to be inactive in bed. He is healthy and all, but most of the day he spends lying down in bed or watching soaps/cricket and does not do any physical activity. All the household chores have been done by my mother so far and he is loathe to learn to cook, or even make coffee at this age. Even getting him to go for walks takes a lot of goading. I am worried that this may affect his health in the long run. He is fairly healthy otherwise. Has anybody else faced similar experience? How did you manage to bring about positive changes in such a person?
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2010
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  2. Vidya21

    Vidya21 Senior IL'ite

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    Was he active (beside his job-duties) before when he was employed? How long ago did he retire? Do you think it could be the transition from being working to being a retired person? The transition can at times cause some depression.

    Try getting him to see a doctor, if the advice to be physically active comes from a medical professional, he might take it seriously. Or, if there are children in the house, they can keep him involved and busy. A friend of mine got their parents a puppy (German-Shepard!) that kept her dad busy after retirement, he loves to take him out on walks etc.
     
  3. Arunadhri

    Arunadhri Bronze IL'ite

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    Does he use the computer?
    There is an exclusive site for senior citizens that deals with such issues. There are a lot of like minded people, who get into lively arguments. They arrange gatherings at different cities and even travel and stay. It may be useful to register him on this.
    Verdurez | First & Unique Social Networking Site for Senior Indian Citizens & NRIs Offering Discussion Forums, Groups, Blogs & Resources

    I sympathize with you.
    I cannot imagine myself in such a situation. I am 71, hold a full time job, spend at least two hours and a half in the garden in the free time, yoga in the morning, walk and work out in the evening. Absolutely not a minute time left except for about half an hour on the net - a little more if it rains.

    Well, something has to be given up. I have stopped seeing TV altogether a few years back. No cricket, no movies.

    Arunadhri
     
  4. rastor

    rastor New IL'ite

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    He was never "active" as in like being an outdoorsy person. When employed, office-home was his routine. He retired about 5 years back & about 2-3 yrs before the end of his service as he was pretty stressed. He even stopped driving the car citing his distaste for traffic. I have seen really old people driving, walking with full of zest and he is giving lame excuses for not being active.

    Well, recently my mother got our family doctor to talk to him into going for walks or that he will face "bone problems". That trick seems to have worked, but still they only address the symptoms. I think a better way would be to get him some company/friends in the local library as he is fond of reading magazines. But so far we haven't succeeded in changing his lifestyle.
     
  5. rastor

    rastor New IL'ite

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    Thank you for you post Sir. He wouldn't learn computers too, but if I can get him "hooked" to any of those activities that would be just great. Even slow & incremental progress would be good.
     

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