What can I do to help my elderly father get through this emotional loss?

My 89 year old father had a series of falls last summer and fall that led us to the decision that he could no longer live alone in his home of thirty years. He has lived alone for ten years since my mother passed. During this time his eyesight also became worse. He has wet macular degeneration and he can hardly read. He had to give up driving at this point as well.

We moved him from Illinois to my hometown in Wisconsin at the end of January. He’s living in an independent senior apartment complex not far from me. He relies on me and my husband to read mail, write checks and be his eyes for everything, as well as driving him to appointments and get groceries.

My father is adjusting pretty well but he has moments of depression from missing his independence. He gets frustrated because he can’t read or drive.

Have any of you had this experience with a loved one? How did you help them cope?