Sleeping through the problem is a really common reaction to this. I did it, I know four other people who did it. The only time you don't have to deal with it is when you're asleep, so people try to fall asleep all the time.

I think people are often waiting to get over it, so they can start rebuilding their lives. The problem is that you don't get over it without doing stuff, you don't come to terms with it until you've shown yourself you can do normal day to day things. If you sit around waiting for it to happen it never will.

So, you have to get him to do stuff, and you have to find a way to do that despite the fact that he really won't like it. Often that can be practical things like just going out on normal day to day stuff. Visit the bank, buy clothes get groceries. Also it can be things like making the decision to get some help with cane mobility. That will be hard.

My approach is to be very pushy and insist this stuff happens because if not nothing changes.

It sounds like he is depressed. Can you see if he will join some groups? Or does he have friends that he can go out to lunch with? Even just spending time with someone outside of his house can help. If it is severe, ask if he is willing to see a doctor or talk to a therapist. Losing your vision is traumatic. It might help to have some additional support.

Maybe you could get him a computer and show him how to use screenreader like NVDA if he’s into stuff like that or if he would like audiobooks I’m guessing he can’t read Braille if he has lost his site at the older age

If you're in America I suggest getting ahold of the National Federation of the blind or another service like this. They can get your dad set up with instructors so he can live a normal life again. As for activities the NFB has a store called the independence market which has a lot of card and board games that are accessible to the blind. They also sell other assistive tools like canes, talking and Braille watches. And a lot more.

We're in a pandemic and it's cold but, once it gets better try swimming? Maybe go to the pool at a weird time when no one else is there if you think you would be self-conscious or anything like that?

Acceptance is important first step. I think he needs to come to terms with it gently try to introduce stuff to him. Let him know life isn’t over and you can live a full and fulfilling life despite being blind. So yeah. Then the next thing is to get training and to adapt and adjust.

Has he been signed up for Library of Congress National Library Service? When this happened to my dad, he enjoyed listening to books, magazines, newspapers, on a device that's really straightforward to use.

How about some playing cards? You can buy a slate and stylus and put some Braille numbers on them. It would be a good way for you both to learn a little bit of (useful) Braille and to spend time together. Or if Braille seems too hard, you can always put some Braille 'dots' on the cards, using your own "code." It would be like having a secret coded language, but it would work for you both. You'd only need to learn a few letters-- the "A" for aces, "J" for jacks, "H" hearts... etc.... and then the numbers... Then, start with a simple game.


OR---- does he play chess? There are chess sets for the blind. I happen to have one. The black pieces have a tiny nail in the tops of each piece so you can differentiate them from the white, and the black squares are raised a little. There is also holes on the board, and each piece has a peg on the bottom, so you can place the piece into the hole, and it will not move if the board gets bumped. The hard part is remember where each piece is on the board!! However, it is not impossible, and will be a great way to use some of those brain cells you've both got! I love my chess set.

walk on a flat path somewhere he can hear the sounds of nature and feel the sun