Is there anything he finds a lot of amusement in? A thing that greatly aids recovery is laughter.

How about spending time with him. Find out what things he enjoys that he can still do. Does he like to watch sports do puzzles, or play cards. Maybe start having one night a week where the family gets together. Or if he lives far away and has grandchildren the kids can make home-videos for him. They can tell stories about their lives, do a sing and dance, even tell jokes. Sometimes if people can feel useful it helps them feel better. If he like kids you might want to find out if there is a volunteer phone program for latch key kids that he could do from home. If he is interested you can also get him a computer which would give him an outside connection to the world. I used to teach people how to use the Internet and my oldest student was 85. If he still has good vision and use of his hands maybe he can build small models of airplanes cars ect. Or if he is artistic an easel and paints.

My dad had a stroke in 2000, and he was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. I bought him some outdoor videos of hunting and fishing and he loved them. I also did something else for me. I took a tape recorder, got him into some conversations about his youth and he started talking about his earliest memories and what it was like to live during the depression era. He told me stories of my granddad and grandmother that I had never heard. He told me about my folks on his side that came over from Germany. My mother got in on the conversationa and told me things about my American Indian ancestors. He told me some great stories of hunting in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and places he had been. His whole family history is recorded on tape in his voice. He told me funny stories of various things that had happened at work, hunting, vacations, growing up in Texas and Kentucky. Stories about his dad and granddad. About my Great-Grandfather building a homestead in Ohio County, Kentucky, in 1900. It was great and I listen to it often. You probably cant give him at this time in his life as much as he can give you. But your time is worth alot to him.

Get him a skip to put all the things in he can't use any more.

How about a journal? Encourage him to write down memories of his childhood and parents, what his hometown was like, his war stroies (if applicable). We've done this with my Dad (now 81) and it's a treasure now for all of us. Plus it makes Dad feel he is still useful to us. It's amazing how much we've learned from his journal about living through the Great Depression, WWII, McCarthyism, what his courtship with my mother was like, what he felt challenged by and what he did about it.

ive heard about this robotic vaccum cleaner, is scans the floor as it moves around on its own so it doesnt bump into anything, + that means your old man doesnt have to do anything, isnt it great ! ! heres the link > http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_503612_3/102-3778524-8880100?ie=UTF8&node=3743561

Yor dad's life is centered around his family. his past memories are his and his alone. Since his physical activity has dwindeled, he will cherish the following: Gather all the old 8mm and super 8 movies of the past. start back with the earliest films of the family and bring to the current date. i would suggest all the films be placed on one vhs cartridge tape. it will be easier for him to operate, rather than a dvd. He will sit and watch his family on one tape, over and over again. from your baby films to your baby's films and so on. This is not very expensive and besides, what price can you pay for dad's 80th birthday? he will never be 80 again. Get to work. your time and his is running out.

The White House sends out special greetings, upon request, to anyone celebrating a birthday of 80 years or more, as well as other special occasions such as new babies, weddings and wedding anniversaries of 50 years or more. Though it's too late for you now, cause they require 6 weeks advance notice, you should still send a request to them. Tell them you just learned of this opportunity, that your Dad has been sick and could use a nice surprise - that it's okay if the greeting is late to get to him. Of course, if he's a Republican, you might want to mention it! Now, if he's a Democrat, or just doesn't give a damn about government, imagine the kick he'll get when he receives something signed by the President! Their website if WhiteHouse.gov (NOT WhiteHouse.org - an "Officious Website"), here's the link to their contact page: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ OR their "guidelines" page is here: https://app1.whitehouse.gov/greetings/home This is very unique! Everyone will be talking about it for a long time!

My Grandmother is turning 91 next month, I have been getting her a few book of stamps and an assortment of greeting cards (she can`t get out to buy them), and stationary. She loves to send cards and letters. She also likes getting artist drawing paper and colored pencils. And of course she loves it when anyone visits her. Thats her favorite present.

The best gift we can give is to give of ourselves. Perhaps you could give him a chance to let you interview him for stories you could tell other family members so his legacy will live on. Bring in some old pictures to look over to get him started... ask what he most remembers about the coldest winter he ever experienced, the biggest fish he ever caught, the best meal he ever had, and the worst meal he ever had. I bet you'll both be laughing before it's over and you'll have shared some real quality time. Write down what he tells you, or record it, and transcribe the notes into a book you can share with other family members.

A 14" DVD Player, and a 40 year subscription to Netflix movies. (untill his 120).

If he can still write, I reccomend the Nintendo DS Lite. It's easy to carry around, and it's simple to use. A lot of fun puzzle games come with it, and there's always games that work the brain, like Brain Age. Many people assume that because it's a video game, elderly people can't handle, but that's not true. The most he'll need is his glasses. It doesn't require moving around, and you don't have to get too worked up using it. It's 130, games are 20 - 50 dollars. Some games come with several puzzles in one, so it's a save. I reccomend that you demo it, and gauge how easy it'll be for him to use it before you buy it. Any game story should have one out, or walmart. Good luck, and say happy birthday to your dad for me! Or, in general so it's not creepy...!

I suggest a nice pocket watch