Wow. I had an answer for you until I learned he was 70. My mom is around the same age. She talks and talks and talks and talks. I can put the phone down and make dinner and she hasn’t stopped talking long enough to even know whether I am on the phone or not. I know that she drives other people batty, too. I love my mom, don’t get me wrong here.
I’m extremely protective of my space simply because I had my boundaries violated as a child so much (see above…lol!) I have been in situations with a lot of people who just “drop in” to see the “new neighbor”...me. And I just enjoy my solitude. I was a caretaker for so much of my life…I actually enjoy, enjoy, enjoy my own company!
I just put the phone on an answering machine to screen calls. I draw the curtains (in the front anyway) and leave a sign on the door that says, ” Please do not disturb. I am busy working on a project unless you have a package for me to sign for, then please knock.” Now, let me tell you that this has not always worked. I had one friend who thought, “Of course….SHE COULDN’T MEAN ME…” And she knocked and knocked and then came round the back yelling for me. And yes, I DID mean HER, too. But I still did not answer, and eventually she got the message. Get an answering machine, make a sign and put it on the door…seriously.
The other thing…is this….call the local Social Services for the Elderly or another organization that helps the elderly and ask them to please call him or check in on him. Tell them that he needs to get involved in activities since he is new to the neighborhood and that frankly, you don’t have the time to do that. Perhaps a local church has activities for the elderly. Although, to tell you the truth, my best girl friend (the sign is NEVER out for her) has her mom at home with her and her mom just is so young at heart that the idea of doing “elderly” things appalls her. But either way, this man needs to have some friends and activities.
Hope this helps….it’s okay to say, “No.”