Ideas on what to do with Dad hanging out with Drug/alcohol addicts?

I accidently hit 'submit'.

Maybe the neighbors are harmless. That's a possibility too. Just because they drink and do drugs doesn't mean they're out to hurt your dad but if there are people coming and going all the time chances are there will be some shady characters around at some point.

Now I'm showing my evil side but can you threaten your dad with assisted living if he continues to see these people? Tell him that if he continues to maintain a friendship with these people, who you think are not good people, he's going to have to move out for his own good. People say "pick your battles"? This is a battle I'd pick.

I don't know how you go about doing it but I would get that "friendship" nipped in the bud.

This may not sound ethical but can you use your dad's paranoia against him? Get him to be paranoid about these neighbors? I realize that it sounds like some kind of evil plan and it would be messing with his mind but after these people steal your dad's identity you might wish you had tried some drastic measures.

Can you approach these people and tell them that your dad has dementia and that you need to keep a closer eye on him and would they please not invite your dad in the next time he comes over? They can come up with some kind excuse like so-and-so isn't feeling well or they're getting ready to go out. Bring these neighbors around to your side. But if they're not honest and see this as an opportunity to exploit your dad they won't want to help you out which I would look upon as a huge red flag.

If none of your efforts pay off all you can do is just try to minimize any damage that may occur. Make sure your dad doesn't take his wallet with him when he goes over there. Keep an eye on his bank account (if you have POA). Request a credit report on him (again, if you have POA).

I did some of the above. He told me they are friendly too him and he likes watching tv with them. The vuneralbility is a BIG issue. THey are known to borrow money not pay it back and neither one of them work. I think he finds that he is welcomed and they are near his age. We are not talking about just pot smoking it;s above that. I cannot hog tie him and I cannot reason with him. He's aware of the fights. Drug dealers are in and out. My fear is they want soemthing from him. Money, etc. Dad's other sympomts include, paranoia with me, confusion, fogginess, lack of cooperation in care, memory loss, and now lying. He was the most honest man you could ever meet. That's just what I can pull off the cuff. HE borrowed $20 from them I made him pay them back. We didnt need the money and I am sure he blamed it on me which puts me in the line of fire. I do NOT want their money and we didn't need it. Lost here on how to get him to realize when there is no rational to hsi mind.

It sounds like a very dangerous (is that a good word?) situation for your elderly father to be involved in.

And if you're noticing changes in your dad and now he's hanging out with these people I would suspect dementia, in which case your dad may have trouble managing his own affairs and making rational and prudent decisions. Hanging out with troublemakers would not be a good decision on his part. Plus, your dad may be very vulnerable if he's in the early stages of dementia and people who abuse alcohol/drugs are not always the most honest of people. Not everyone who uses is dishonest but you're dad is in a vulnerable position.

But it's not like you can hog-tie him or keep him chained to the house. You can't physically remove him from the neighbor's house either. Try talking to your dad in a friendly manner (concern or accusatory will just put him on the defensive). Find out what it is about these people that he likes. There's a reason he enjoys going over there. Find out what that reason is. Keep the conversation about him, not about the neighbors drug/alcohol use. What do they do over there? Does the host put out food? What type of work do the neighbors do? Etc. Maybe you can get a better picture of what is so attractive to your dad.

Scary as I am trying to not give to much info. Ok, yes he's living with me. No diagnosis made but i HIGHLY suspect it which is one of my next questions. He has never had a drug or alcohol problem. My Son, also lives with us. My fear is that other's wwill think he is using. As well, everyone around is has warned is abou these people. He knew this months ago. They welocome anyone into their home. THe more the marrier.........I have tried to keep them at bay. IT;s a hi bye thing for me. It started with him just talkign to the male who is usually drunk/on something. Now it;s go over there and hang out. My Dad has already started other issues as he can't decipher what to say to others. His processing is way off. Not to menton outside of the drugs/alcohol the police are called up to their home on a regular basis as they fight, break things, etc. It is NOT a good situation.

Aphena tell us more about your dad. How old is he? Does he have dementia? If not, what illnesses/situations is he facing? Has he ever had a drug/alcohol problem? Does he live with you or on his own? If you give us more info, you'll get better answers.