Thank you so much Carl and Trina - and hi Samantha! I appreciate the help here. We do ask my dad if he wants to get out and go out for lunch, etc. The answer has so far been "no", and I have no idea how much I should insist/cajole/propel him bodily (ha) out of the house. He does go outside every day (he lives on a farm) and do some light chores, such as pick up sticks from the yard (he's one of those people who is particular about
how the yard looks), use a shovel or rake to tidy up the driveway, get the mail, etc....he also still mows his own yard, which he tended to enjoy doing (riding mower) but now, though he does it, he says it seems to be more difficult to make himself go do it. I am not at all sure where to draw the line between suggesting and forcing.
I know my brother-in-law was there today, and brought by two of my nieces, and he said Dad was interacting with them and smiling and up and moving around. He even showed my brother-in-law a brochure from the hospital about Senior Solutions - the local hospital has specific groups set up for seniors with anxiety, and with depression. He asked my brother-in-law if he knew anything about it. My brother-in-law said he did not, because that was a program that began after he left his job there, but he suggested to my dad that it was certainly worth a try. My dad said he believed he would give them a call, so I am calling that a positive.
Any thoughts to help me know when/how much to insist/offer to go places? Thanks!