What Is Respite?
I’m so tired from 24 hours and going of aimless, but harmless, wandering, but, but…
Today I have a caregiver for three hours. DW is accepting of her today. My respite is the garage door up with a soft rain, sitting in a lawn chair with the door into the garage locked so my DW stays with the caregiver, sitting here pretending that I’m cleaning up the mess of our garage. I’m enjoying the heck out of it. Getting in some nice deep breaths, silence and I even tidied up the smallest little corner. Ha!
Anyone else getting a moment today?
Comments
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My respite carers have so far not worked out Cindy but the photo by our Sailability coordinator says it all. My respite is the group being watchful over my DH and me taking other compromised people sailing. Exhausting but my respite at the same time. An exhausted happy Christmas to everyone here. We are on the top of the Christmas tree 🌲 ha ha
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I’m just at the beginning of this journey that none of us want to be on. My husband was diagnosed this past August, late stage 4. I can still leave him for a few hours a day but limit my time away to a couple of hours every Tuesday. I get together with 4 friends in a grocery store meeting room. Those 2 hours each week rejuvenate me, let me know I’m seen, heard and cared for, and let me have time away. I cherish them as I anticipate that some day I will no longer be able to join in.
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I love everything about this. Big hug!
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Enjoy your time. Hope it lingers for a while.
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I love this one too. Happy Christmas
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My respite, for now, is waking up at 5:00 AM and knowing DH will sleep for at least another hour or two… maybe even three if he's sleeping soundly. My hot coffee is my friend, keeping me company… and now all of you.
CindyBum - The garage oasis sounds lovely. It's a little too chilly to sit in my garage, so my bathroom is my oasis when I need a break and DH is awake, much like when my kiddos were little.
Biggles - Your post made me smile. Like CindyBum, I love everything about it.
Hoping you all find little times of respite when needed.
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What a shame we are all so far apart, I think we are a very interesting innovative group of challenged people handling things as best we can. I could share your garage space with you. One step at a time to 2026.
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I was thinking the same thing! Here's a "garage oasis" from HGTV… I'm imagining our ALZConnected friends meeting there for a relaxing cup of coffee (or your drink of choice) and lots of laughs. (A much better alternative to my bathroom!)
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What a lovely spot, Call me Gram! Let’s meet there with Cindy and then go sailing with Biggles!
My spot too is at kitchen table with cup of coffee being with my beloved support group (all of you)! This is while DH still sleeping till about 8 am. I hate it when he wakes early and the next long day begins!
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Yesterday I got to go to a lovely but expensive grocery store while a family member stayed with DH. I so enjoyed looking at all of that lovely food. One of my favorite places to go when I have an hour to myself is the local library. During the warmer months (I live in Minnesota) I just go outside and putter in the garden.
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ha ha I love this virtual visiting - the garage, sailing and then a cuppa around the table. Wonder what else we can do?
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❤️
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wonderful photos!
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Thank you it is a truely wonderful group of extraordinary people.
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Good morning. I just have to thank all of you for your informative comments. Every morning you are all my respite. I drink my coffee while getting such valuable information. My husband goes to bed early and gets up late. I love my free time. Even though I’m lonely I can spend some peaceful hours trying to relax and regroup. We are finally moving to our daughter and son- in- law’s town so I can finally get some help. Selling and packing the house has been exhausting but I’m almost done. You all have been there for me every single day when I need you comments and some information.?I have gained such a knowledge from you all. The doctors aren’t much help at all. I’m feeling positive that 2026 will be a much better year for us. THANK YOU!!♥️
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I hope your move goes smoothly and you get some help being closer to your daughter.
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I have a caregiver Mon, Wed and Friday, for 3 hours. I go to Y, swim laps and sit in the hot tub. It's the only reason I can can keep him at home and keep my sanity.
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Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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