Yep. Without them, he'd probably just stand out in the rain, mouth open (which it is so often anyway...) and wonder where all that water was coming from. A Presidential drowning could ensue.
He certainly seems to need people around him to guide him in the right direction (just like Pop Pop at the home...) Otherwise he'll just wander around aimlessly and probably fall down.
Quite sad. Elder abuse, actually.
Caption this Meme