What do I do with Dad?

[GrumpyLivesInMyHouseNow]

My Dad is coming for Christmas, staying from the 23rd of Dec to the 3rd of Jan

What do I do with a 75 year old, who doesn't want to go to crowded places due to Covid and a recent heart bypass, and an ankle that needs replacing which means he can only walk for a max of 10 mins.

I just don't want him sitting in front of the tv for over a week - we did suggest a mobility scooter but he said hell would freeze over before he rented on of those

Any suggestions ??

If he sits happily in front of the TV at home, let him do it at yours.

He's got company, that's probably enough given his health issues. Perhaps a nice drive out in the car for a change of scenery?

Would he accept a wheelchair? You could take him out in one of those if he won't use a motability scooter.

He's often out and about visiting friends when he's at home (he lives 6 hrs away). We've got a few things scheduled, we're going to watch my dd horse riding, but I'm struggling for the rest of the time.

There's no way he'd do a wheelchair, he's fairly sprightly so did suggest a motorised kids scooter but reckon he'd likely kill himself

I'd stop worrying about making suggestions that he turns down. Go about your life, invite him and if he refuses to participate, carry on regardless.

Like a PP said, make suggestions and he other agrees with them or not. Not much more you can do really.

Just let him enjoy your company and you his. Invite him out if going and let him stay if not. There wont be much open anyway!

I agree with @Justmuddlingalong. I've worried about this for years with relatives, but what they want more than anything is company & the luxury of having meals made for them.
If you and your family want some fresh air and he can't walk far/ won't use a wheelchair or scooter then leave him with the TV remote, flask and a snack.
But I do know what you mean, you want them to have done something different, which is difficult when their mobility isn't so good.
Is there somewhere nearby you could have a drive around? Somewhere with nice scenery, the coast, hills/moors or pretty villages? If he won't go into a bar or cafe, have a car picnic - even if it's just a cuppa and a biscuit. Or takeaway fish & chips.
Do you have board games he could play with your DD? Or a jigsaw you can leave out and all do?
I usually wrap up a couple of things to suit their interests (puzzle books; novels; non-fiction book) that might occupy them for a few hours.
Are there any jobs he'd be able to do for you? Whether that's peeling potatoes or hanging a picture, setting the table - we all like to feel useful!

Sorry; nothing majorly exciting there but even a few little things will make a difference.

Wander around a garden centre? Can be quite nice at Christmas, largely outdoors and often a bench you can have a rest on ! Probably a tea shop too

DM is similar though slightly more physically able. When she stays with us or we go on holiday together we do a mixture of things we can do together and things we can’t. So at home I’ll do a jigsaw with her, we’ll play board games, do some baking, or she will sit at the kitchen table doing a crossword or chopping veg whilst I cook dinner and we chat on and off. But sometimes she will just watch TV or read a book. If we go out, we might go to a garden where we walk to the café, she stays there whilst we go further then we come back to her. Or we might drive to somewhere with a good view and she stays in or near the car enjoying the view whilst we go for a walk. She will also play crazy golf with us though sounds like that might be too much for your dad? I know that being used to living on her own, she just likes company but also finds after a few days that she likes some peace so we might go out for a couple of hours and leave her at home.

He is coming for company and no cooking / cleaning for a week. So offer him to tag onto your plans and ask him who he wants to visit and you can take him. Tbh this would a standard visit from the inlaws plus people visit us too that don’t normally. I just accept and move at their pace.