<p>A dog, perhaps? They make excellent companions, and also provide good reasons to get out of bed in the morning.</p>
<p>Thanks for the wonderful ideas! I think he’s still in shock since job, brother’s death and five days a week radiation treatments were all within the last 6 weeks. He was in the group insurance business. Some of his clients and co-workers he’s know for over 30 years. Volunteering at the food bank and church has been Mom’s “job” for years so he wants to find his own niche. </p>
<p>You’ve thrown out some great ideas that I think would be very interesting to him. Over the past decade they have traveled a great deal (He had almost 2 months of vacation a year.) For the time being, travel needs to have better access to medical facilities and flights home. Vietnam had to be cancelled but a condo in Canada or Europe would be a fabulous way to get out of the Texas heat. He would thrive in taking a course, teaching adults or helping at a museum. I think I’ll find out when the next gardening program starts up. My husband is going to suggest a guy’s fishing weekend. I think dabbling in a couple of areas will eventually lead to something he truly enjoys. We obviously can’t plan his life but I think having a collection of ideas will be helpful. Thank you!</p>
<p>My gf’s parents sold her childhood home in Boston and now own a condo in Florida but they always find somewhere cooler to spend the summer months. One year they went to Canada and rented a condo for a month and really, really enjoyed themselves. They weren’t rushed, could really explore at their own pace, said it was absolutely beautiful.</p>
<p>OK, since he has been in a desk job and wants a “niche” apart from what Mom is doing, if he is at all interested in child welfare I would ask him to take a look at volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem (or CASA, same thing, different name - acronym stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate). Here is a website I found on the CASA program in Williamson County TX. </p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.casawctx.com/default.aspx]www.casawc.tx.comHome[/url”>http://www.casawctx.com/default.aspx]www.casawc.tx.comHome[/url</a>]</p>
<p>It can be challenging/demanding work, so you feel like you are doing work at times, as opposed to some volunteer work that is relatively mindless, like delivering meals or making sandwiches, so it can be very satisfying that way, as well as performing a very valuable social service, advocating for children in the foster care system.</p>
<p>Have him look up being a senior ombudsman, especially if he has experience with Medicare. He could still be “working” in a volunteer capacity doing what he was doing before, or very similar to that. Maybe even holding Medicare seminars at local senior centers, etc. would keep him in touch with his “job”.</p>
<p>If he as any interest in gardening, he could try a master gardener program. The programs vary from state to state, but there’s an educational component (horticulture classes and exams) and in order to become certified you need to do volunteer hours in outreach and education.</p>
<p>[AHS</a> - Master Gardeners](<a href=“AdventHealth | A Leader in Whole-Person Health Care”>AdventHealth | A Leader in Whole-Person Health Care)</p>
<p>How about travel to national parks in the US? Most of them are a car ride from good medical care. Agree with the suggestion on classes and volunteering. Meals on Wheels where people deliver hot meals to shut-ins is always seeking volunteers as are schools. Local United Way offices know of legs seeking volunteers.</p>
<p>In our area many seniors citizens volunteer in the schools. I’ve heard there is a way for them to get $8/hr credited toward property taxes for their efforts.</p>
<p>After 70, I personally would think very carefully, plan very carefully any travel. One have to be in exceptionally good health for 70+ to be traveling. I personally stopped traveling by car in my 50s, just could not handle it any more, the same is my H. All this packing, un-packing, dragging laguage, staying in un-familiar places…etc., not sure about this stress in 70+. And doggy for someone who has never took care of the dog, is it good idea? Would not be for me. Maybe it is good idea to “borrow” dog from somebody to take care for several weeks, then decide on having your own.<br>
Anything new in the age of 70+ should be planned very carefully, played out in your head, tried (if possible) on a short time basis, then decide. The goal is to have additional fun, not additional stress.</p>
<p>My folks are in their 80s and travel quite a bit. The flights from our state are generally at least 5-6 hours to the West Coast and longer thereafter. It does involve a lot of planning. I have noticed H tends to get sick more frequently these days after trips, so would agree that flying is not to be lightly undertaken. From HI, most travel is by necessity via airplane.</p>
<p>Agree that it’s good to think carefully through what would be RELAXING and ENHANCING rather than more responsibility. If you are in good or excellent health, travel CAN be fun, but it does involve stresses, adjusting to different places, changes in time zone, and coordination. For some, it is a big chore, while others LOVE it, it all depends on the individuals involved. There are quite a few ILL people traveling, so you can be exposed to infections and have to adjust to different climates, hazards, and allergens as well.</p>
<p>I enjoy travel, and H and I do take several trips/year, especially since our kids are 2500 to 5000 miles away from HI and our schedule is more flexible than our kids’ – so far it has been enjoyable for us.</p>
<p>My folks have recently started to slow down in their travels, but have enjoyed their trips. They have been to Europe, Australia, Russia, Asia, and all over the place. Much of their travel has been since they were 70+ so it really does depend on the fitness of the individuals involved.</p>
<p>Frankly, after certain age, we go to the same 2 locations every year, one to visit the family in NYC and another is for vacation. I have no desire whatsoever to see new places. I realize that others might be up to more excitements, but for me, I lost this desire (not 70 yet), I just want to know what to expect and I want to have very predictable (routine) enjoyment that I am looking forward for several months every year (and my H. feels the same). I thought that I would be for more adventures when kids are not in the house any more. Did not happen this way. Do not delay any excited trips, take them when you feel excited. This is the advice for younger parents. The excitement will not last forever.</p>
<p>We are grateful we traveled throughout our marriage but mot all families have the resources to do so, sadly. It is just another thing to keep in mind. Hate losing things when we travel this trip we lost Rx sunglasses and car keys. <sigh>!</sigh></p>
<p>We still plan to do some traveling even tho H no longer enjoys it as much as when we were younger. Glad we have the resources and options.</p>