My 85 year old dad is CRAZY! What do I do when he does something like weed-eat in 100 degree sun?

Sadly, there's likely nothing you can do if he won't listen to reason. I would, however, see if a close family friend could talk to him since family dynamics can get in the way. Most elders resist their "kids" telling them how to live. His doctor may also be clued in. But this is his life and some things he will do not matter how much you try to help. It's painful for you, but if friends, a spiritual leader or a doctor can't help him reconsider, you may have to just accept the situation.

Also - if there is a way he will let you help remind him to stay hydrated in the heat, that is good.

Good luck with this. Keep tuned as you may get other suggestions from forum readers. This is a great bunch of people.
Carol

RITA:

Has he ever gotten a stomachache or really sick after eating weeds? If the answer is no, try to allay your fears by identifying the type of weeds to make sure they aren't toxic. Also, bring him into the kitchen to wash them thoroughly before he eats them and prevent a heat stroke at the same time.

Of course don't ignore the behavior, but if you nag him about it he'll keep doing it because it bothers you so. Assuming he doesn't have any kind of mental handicap, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. When I visit my relatives in western Brazil I eat some weeds and other plants most people don't deem fit for consumption because they don't know anything about them. With my grandmother's permission and occasional supervision, I add them to soups and salads or make a tea.

If you can't beat him, join him and find out what pleasure he gets out of weed-eating. Who knows? You might like it. Plus he might listen to you because there's something in common that can mend the way you relate to one another.

Good luck Rita.

-- ED

Now if those weeds were dandelions, then he COULD eat them!

Ed, I think Rita is talking about weed whacking with a trimmer (thanks for the giggle)
We use to disconnect the spark plug in Mom's lawn mower, and since she wasn't mechanically inclined it worked. Is there some way it could be disabled, or have someone else do it, before he can get to it. Then again with my mom you never know what she'll try next. Good Luck!

ed u crack me up ! thanks for liftin my spirit up today ! and the smile on my face hasnt left yet !
yes i believe rita s talkin about the motor whackin weed chopper , we call it weed eater .
rita if ur dad is able to do all that stuf then good for him ! just offer him big tall glass of water when he goes out an about in 100 degree weather . he will quit when its too much for him . clap ur hands and say woohoo u go pa !!! .
just keep an eye on him . count ur blessing that he is still able to do things he enjoys doing .

HI GUYS!

Well, strap me to the side of a pig and roll me in the mud! I saw the "weed-eat" and took the question literally. The phrase was so unique I actually believed it happened, so I tried to help.

D'oh!!!! ... I feel so stupid right now that I have no choice but to laugh at myself. I knew the day would come when I dropped my brain by the side of the road, but in this forum? Never in a million years. Anyway, at least we got some fun out of it.

It's 9 p.m., and I have a date. Good night family.

-- ED

Oh my! I am laughing so hard. I called my 85 year old dad and read this to him. What a loooooong day, nice to end with a good hard laugh.
Thanks so much Ed, don't feel stupid!

I wish my 87 year old mother was only weed-eating in the hot summer. My problem is she insists on get a ladder and cleaning the pinestraw off the roof of her home. Yes we have tried locking up or removing the ladder. She buys another. Many neighbors and relatives have fussed at her that she has no business doing this but that just makes her more determined to get up there. She snapped at me one time about it and I reminded her that I had not told her to stop. I only asked that she call a nearby cousin and ask her to come by, stay in her car, and wait until she was off the roof. She still gets up there but it is no longer an "issue" between us. We have recently had to move my father (85) to a nursing home after a fall and fractured pelvis. I try to choose my battles wisely-she wanted him "home" but couldn't lift him and didn't want any strangers in her house. I don't want her up there on the roof but this is not a battle I can win right now. While my dad has dementia, my mother does not.