How can I get my father to eat healthier?
My father is 74 years of age and blind. He has Congestive Heart Failure. I now live with him. I have a difficult time explaining and helping him to eat right. What should I do? I took him to the doctor yesterday, and his heart is working only 27-30%. His heart muscles are weak, but he is doing pretty good. My father has been blind for 50 years. He lived independantly until February this year. My father has high blood pressure, boderline diabetes as well. He still wants to eat what he wants.
Expert Answer
It sounds like you're very concerned about your father's health, and I commend you for that. I also sympathize with your worries; it's so frustrating when someone won't do what's in his own best interests. But the truth is, your father is an adult. The best thing you can do is help support him to make good choices. Talk to him about what he eats, help encourage him to eat a healthy diet. And perhaps most importantly, eat a healthy diet yourself.
But ultimately, it's his own responsibility to take care of himself. And it's important to realize that you can't make him make healthy choices – otherwise, you can drive yourself crazy. I wish you and your father all the best.