What do you do for self-care?

countrywife

My DH received his alz diagnosis 5 mo ago. He is no longer driving but manages most of his ADL’s & putters around our small farm. Most of my caregiving at this point is around appointments, finances, cooking, groceries, mostly typical household things. I can be away from home altho I try to spend as much time here as possible so he doesn’t feel so isolated. It’s hard for him to be social living outside of town like we do when he can’t drive.

I do volunteer work once a week for several hours, have a therapist session every two weeks, schedule a monthly massage, and meet up with friends who quilt once or twice a month, or go to lunch with a friend on occasion. Even with all I’m doing, I wonder if it will sustain me as time goes by and what will happen when I need to home more. I’m curious to know what self-care looks like for others? And is it enough for you?

RetiredTeacher

I wish I got out as much as you do. Although DH is still able to do his ADL's, he is emotionally needy and wants me to be home with him. He has no hobbies or interest, just sits and watches TV. For self care I enjoy a nice long bath daily, a morning walk with the dogs, use the treadmill on rainy days, enjoy my sewing and embroidery machines, go to a sewing guild meeting monthly, have lunch with a friend once a month and make time to read. I also watch what I want on TV after he goes to sleep. I get out once a week for a few hours and try to get to the movies once a month. Is it enough? No, but I will take what I can get without upsetting him too much. We are all just trying to survive the best we can.

Maru

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/75097/what-do-you-do-for-self-care

Sounds to me like you already have a lot of self-care in place. By that I mean that so far you are mostly living a normal life. As you DH progresses you will probably be forced to drop some of your activities. Figure out which ones gives you the happiest feelings or are the most calming to you, and try to find a way to keep those. Will it be lunch out with a friend? the quilting group? As you become more housebound for his sake, you may find thatdoing your quilting at home will bring an hour or two of peace.

As for me, I am an artist and have studio at home. I am looking at baby monitors so i can keep an ear out for my DH when he is watching TV or on the computer. But, I know that eventually, that escape will become more rare and it will only be by God's good grace that I remain interiorally (sp?) at peace. May you find peace on your journey.

Lgb35

I am on the journey of discovering what would bring me peace of mind and comfort as this journey continues. I do enjoy crochet and find it relaxing. Coloring in an adult coloring book. I have several puzzles that I bought for something to do with DH but I would enjoy them even if he doesn’t. I haven’t made it to the point of focusing on fun self care yet. I am purging the house of excess clutter and things DH could get into and use inappropriately

cavenson

You have a good self-care strategy in place for now. The challenge will be to maintain it as AD progresses. I find exercise helps. I have a treadmill and stationary bike that I try to use for 30 minutes every morning before DH gets up. It helps that I exercise while listening to 60s & 70s songs on Music Choice. Also, when I need to vent, I keep a journal on my computer. It calms me down and helps to put difficult Alzheimer's behaviors in perspective. I've been keeping this for 2 1/2 years and it has over 200 pages now. And, I try to get out of the house once a week to meet a friend for lunch, go to a neighborhood book club, attend a civic club meeting, or do some volunteer work. Since I don't have the freedom to get out as much as I used to, I really appreciate and enjoy these outings all the more.