Paranoid Schizophrenia?

I have an Uncle that lives with me that has been diagnoised with this years ago. He is only 54 years old. My question is: Does anyone know of any activities or something he can do to pass the time? All he does is watch TV & smoke cigarettes. I tried signing him up for a daycare for the elderly & mental, but he refused to go. I can't let him leave the house to go for a walk because he would not return. Before I took him in he was homeless, not due to finances, but mental condition & not taking hs medication. I just feel sorry for him because he seems to have no interests. Thank you for any of your suggestions in advance!!!!

Hello, I am a Mental Health Case Manager and I have many clients that are diagnosed the same. The majority of all my clients smoke cigarrettes and it is because it helps them to not focus on the voices. A day care may not be the right option because many people suffering from mental illness feel as though they are being "handed off" but another option similar to that is Day Treatment and a lot of my clients attend it daily during the week. Day Treatment is a social rehabilitation program. The program have different group session throughout the day for people suffering from Mental Illness. These groups allows for interaction and discussion with other people suffering the same things. Discussion may include money management, medication management, forgiveness, etc. This is helpful because it gives the individual something to do during the day and also gives them a chance to interact with others who may have a better understanding allowing to express themselves better and to perhaps make a few friends. Day Treatment also have fun activites such as outings to the movies, parks, sometimes to the grocery store or a wal-mart. They also serve lunch. The program is usually not all day but may have two small programs such as from 9am to 12pm and from 10pm to 1pm. This may be a good idea if such a program exists where you are located at. Try to find one and gather information about it and have a representative speak with you and your uncle. Some towns even have what they call "drop in" centers where people diagnosed with mental illness comes to the centers to relax, hang out with others similar to them. This centers usually stay open until about 5 or 6pm. They may also serve lunch and they do activites as well. Some provide clothing or other necessary items the client may need. Also visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (Nami) website it may be very helpful. www.nami.org

I hope this helps a little.

What about computer games or soliataire or something.
Oh, I'm so sorry! Unfortunately, there may not be a lot he can do. I'd suggest letting him take care of a pet - an elderly dog or a pony or something, but I'm not sure how safe that would be.
Does he like being with you, I mean is he happier in this situation? I think that some mental disorders require good medical attention and that he might be better in a place that specifically deals with this sorta stuff. They probably would have a better idea of how to get him to do stuff without doing any harm, like running away!
I obviously don't know if that is possible, or if you have already tried, whatever, but just my thoughts since they have training in this sort of thing and it maybe good for him health wise.

But if he is happy and wants to be living with you and he is going good health wise, maybe it will just take a little more time. Maybe you can go with him to the daycare a few times and see if he likes it better. Why did he refuse to go? Is there anyway you can overcome his reason? Like if he didn't want to go because he doesn't know anyone- go and meet people yourself, introduce him to them. Because he doesn't want to do things, he just wants to watch tv- work a deal that he goes 3 times a week and stays home the other days, etc.

I'm sorry I don't know how a paranoid schizophrenic person thinks and acts especially your uncle, my great uncle was also, but he was in a hospital for years and years I never met him. So I can only think of common objections someone might have for not wanting to do something.

Maybe he can meet with some type of counselor one day a week or something, if you are having a hard time getting him involved in anything, and they can try to work with him, find out why he doesn't want to do anything, what he does like, etc. I just suggest you get some sort of help from someone who is trained in this area.

Another idea is a support group, for you. Are there any in your area for families of paranoid schizophrenias (I don't know how to word that sorry!)? Maybe the health center or wherever he has gone before can help you. Talking with other people in the same situation as you can be helpful, and give you some advice. If you are going to be taking care of him, I think you will need some help before it starts to wear on you!
Good luck.
Dobie...I really hope you can find something to help you and your uncle. I think he is too young to be in a institution also, but thought that sometimes they can have a better life when they are in special care by trained people. That's all I was thinking about, I think he's too young to sit in front of the tv all day! I wish I could think of something, but this sounds so tough. I think a support group will be the best idea. Other people who are in your situation will surely have the ideas and experience to help you and your uncle. Since he is happy staying with you, he is lucky that you care about him too.
That is the toughest part of mental illness. It actually effects if the person wants to get better or not. With other diseases we usually fight to get better, but with many mental illnesses they don't care, or don't have the resources to want to do any different.

It is a HUGE job to take someone in like that. I know it is more than I could handle. You probably need help.

Good luck!
I suggest some low-key activities to try out with him. Try introducing him to something familiar, but different. Card games, drawing, music. These things can be very theraputic. By all means, do not buy him any pets other than fish. If your uncle has been diagnosed with paranoia, this could increase his anxiety and cause him to have a nervous break down. Try new activities and encourage him to do new things. You could try getting him into piano or accoustic guitar, these are soft instruments, and pretty easy to learn. You could take him on walks with you, talk to him about what you see, introduce him to new places. The thing you want to make sure of is that you are trying new things with him, but nothing too drastic. Start out small, try to do more and more over time. But most of all, talk to his doctor/mental health official about encouraged and discouraged activities. You don't want to do anything that's going to send him into fits.
Good luck, and my condolances for his dissability.
The problem is with many patients of this condition, and others, they don't necesarily acknowledge that they have a problem that needs treating.
I know a person who is bipolar, has been treated extensively for it in the past and yet refuses now to be treated, not does she consider herself to have any existing psychological issues.
Honestly, I don't know what you can do besides continue to make suggestions and be supportive (not to be confused with enabling behaviors). If the person in question doesn't want help you won't be able to give them any.
It's important that you don't get dragged down trying to help a person who neither wants the help, nor acknowledges a need for any. It may sound harsh, especially when we're talking about a family member but the cold truth is that it's very, very easy to become consumed with trying to help someone who can't or won't be helped and in the end you not only didn't help that person but rather made your life, and the lives of those around you that much worse.
I'd just say that if he seems content to smoke cigarettes and watch tv and isn't hurting anyone...let him.