My FIL is having major surgery soon and will be out of work for at least 6 weeks, possibly up to 6 months. He is currently being treated for depression and I'm worried about how being out of work for so long will affect his mental health. Any ideas for a gift we could get him that might cheer him up or make his life easier while he's recovering? My only idea so far is to pay for a lawn-mowing service for the summer.
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Are you close enough to visit? I'd say the best gift would be to make a standing date. Like every Tuesday lunch date? That way you can check in too, and he has something to look forward to!
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@bees_knees: second that! Being ill is tricky because a lot of people don't want to be seen but at the same time the loneliness is really tough.
When I had health problems and was on bed rest MIL hired me a biweekly cleaner (and babysat but not applicable to your FIL.) It helped so so much to alleviate stress at home. So lawn mowing is also a good idea. Just checking in and reminding him you care is nice!
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Netflix to keep him entertained? Meal Delivery?
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Maybe a digital picture frame? Some newer ones allow you to send pictures directly to the frame.
Sending (or dropping off) a weekly care package in the beginning. It could have snacks, a new book, some crossword/Sudoku puzzles, etc. Fresh things to break up the week.
I think taking care of a lawn service would be wonderful, though. Or a cleaner. Or having prepared meals delivered occasionally.
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iPad. My friend's dad has MS and he can't do a whole lot physically and was totally skeptical when my friend got it for him, but now its like his favorite thing. He plays Candy Crush Saga and has weird Internet things he tracks obsessively, like the bald eaglet nest cam that was popular a while ago. He can read the paper on it, Facetime and get text messages, and even watch Netflix or Hulu shows. Basically, he's mentally stimulated and feels connected to the world and it keeps his morale up.
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When my FIL retired, everyone was worried about what he would do. He got a new desktop computer where he installed his favorite game (Civilization), got a nice leather recliner to read books (he goes to the library once a week), and we got him a subscription to the Wall Street Journal which he reads cover to cover every single day. We also got him large print Soduku books that he does while he watches sports or something.
Does he have a pet? My FIL had a cat and he received some toys to play with the cat with - like wands and laser pointers and things like that. Until she died, he spent a good hour a day at least messing with the cat.
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6 comments