Aged P Getting Fed-Up Stuck Indoors - Any Ideas To Keep His Brain Engaged?

[Barquentine]

F.I.L. can just about walk to the lounge, the kitchen and out via the extension to the downstairs showerroom. He's got an adjustable bed in our dining-room (table and chairs pushed into one corner and a dividing curtain put up) - since stairs are now too much for him.
He comes in and sits on sofa to watch TV - but his hearing is malfunctioning (can you get hearing aids without the need to be measured for them?) so it rarely holds his attention for long. He doesn't want to listen to the radio I gave him, feels too tired to read books, no question of going out in the car somewhere (esp. not with the recent weather) & an occasional excursion half way up the back garden represents a really good day!
He likes playing dominoes (which we do - a lot). He also likes Sudoku, but whereas he used to do the super fiendish ones, now he finds the easy ones a struggle. He's on a lot of medication which we assume and reassure him is why his brain's a bit fuzzy. Any brilliant ideas to raise his spirits would be very welcome. Being stuck in the same few rooms indoors must be so boring for him. He's lost touch with friends he used to know, since he started spending half the year back home in Mauritius over the last 10 or 15 years. One or two neighbours have been round to chat, but often he's not in the mood to talk - maybe due to hearing going(?) or constant tiredness. I found some Youtube videos of old Mauritius which I played on the TV which caught his attention for an hour or so, but there's only so many you can watch. Really tricky one I know and a big ask, but maybe someone who's (been) in the same situation might have some inspirational ideas. Many thanks.

[pixie374]

Hi, you may already be doing this, but subtitles on the TV, audible books with headphones, where you can read and listen or alternate as you like. Hearing aids, if needed, sound like they would make quite a difference too. There are people, if you speak to Age Concern, who are befrienders and will come and give him some company when he wants (free). If he likes being outside, maybe a bench or chair close to the back door, so he can access it easily.
I'm sure, hopefully, people will have many other ideas, but it also really depends what interests him. Cards, arts, music, writing... what did he used to do for work or hobbies? X

[rockyracoon]

I believe there are headphones that hard of hearing people can use whilst the rest of the family listen to the TV as usual. They'll make the experience more inclusive.

[bhg481]

Be careful with headphones - some TVs switch-off the main speaker when you plug-in headphones, others allow both speakers and headphones but it might be a switch in the Settings menu. Check with your TV manual before you commit to buying some.

[Maydup]

Jigsaw puzzles could be one answer. Find a bright and colourful one with not too much sky! You'll just need an extra small table for it or a jigsaw holder. We do them in the winter and buy them from charity shops or ebay. See how he gets on with that.

Does he not have subtitles on his TV?

Can he use an ipad? He'd be welcome on here for a chat, and no need to be able to hear us!

[malagabob]

There are apps that you have to make words out of up to 6 given letters of the alphabet. Words containing 3,4,5 and 6. It’s surprising how head scratching it can be.

[waterboatman]

Have you thought about a mobility scooter?
There are men's clubs all over the country, designed for men like your F-I-L. The one near me can supply a meal for 2 pounds. It is swell used.

[waterboatman]

swell used? well used Duh!

[emmie]

that is a very good idea, if he is able to use one that is..

[waterboatman]

They are very easy to use. Simplicity itself.

[murraymints]

I found talking books helped with FIL..can usually borrow them from library..also ask about talking newspapers...I used to record the newspapers when I lived in Herts.. not widely available but worth asking.. can wear headphones... also get all the old photo albums out !

[waterboatman]

More good ideas minty.

[Vagus]

Do you have any small ‘useful’ jobs he could do sitting down, like cleaning brass or silver? Sometimes feeling useful is great for elderly folk.

[Hazlinny]

It's been mentioned already - I find jigsaws a great pastime - there are good ones with large pieces. Also enjoy the adult colouring books to be found in supermarkets/book shops.

[Maydup]

If he can make it halfway up the back garden, could he manage a trip to the kitchen to peel the potatoes or pod the peas? Or its marmalade making season!

[FoxLee2]

If he's interested in nature at all, a bird table and bird feeders and watching what the birds get up to can be quite entertaining.

[Canary42]

It would probably mean a lot of work for you, so I may be being too presumptuous in suggesting it, but how about an aquarium - apparently watching fish is very therapeutic and relaxing.

[wolf63]

I agree with Canary - watching fish is a good way to relax but it is also interesting to go about their lives and interacting with each other.

Or some bird that talks - it may drive you nuts with it's constant screaming.

[ToraToraTora]

does he play board games, chess, draughts, scrabble all have a massive online player base.

[Barquentine]

Thank you very much everybody; some really great ideas here. We switch the subtitle on the telly on all the time now. He seems more interested in what's on instantly! If only he would speak up for himself. He could have told us he couldn't hear it properly. He never whinges or complains. He's a real stoic! Then again, if he was like me, everybody has to know how much | am suffering with the wimpiest of colds! Thank goodness he's not like me! We going to play more board games with him. I am bored of dominoes, especially as he always wins! He is back doing Sudoku again so things are improving. I also got him to put up some curtain hooks and a coat-hook for his dressing-gown. He really likes being useful. I am planning more small DIY jobs for him! Thanks so much again for all your ideas.

[mallyh]

what about joining him to here he may enjoy chatterbank and quizzes ?