Hi joeandjamesdad,

welcome to Questions & Answers..:smileyhappy:

It does state in the user guide that the base station can turn off..

If the transmitter does not detect an audio signal for more than about 4 minutes, it will stop sending RF signals, and the POWER indicator will blink for 1 minute, and then turn off.
When the transmitter receives an audio signal again, it starts sending the RF signals, and the POWER indicator will light up green again.

I have attached a link to the user guide & it seems quite specific in explaining how to charge & use the headphones, if after checking the guide, with your dad, you find he is still having problems let us know & we'll see if we can get an answer from Sony..:smileyconfused:

MDR-RF810RK user guide