These are just some of the many responses we received
from our Editorial of 03/28/08
-
Away Time
Dear Gary,
Thanks so much for your terrific
resourse. You are wanting to hear from the readers
what was the last thing I did when taking time for
myself. I am taking time for myself. I probably do
not rest because I am reading quickly and deciding
what applies to my situation, what to keep and what
to let go. I have been greatly blessed by your
articles.
Yesterday, I was preparing to
attend a weekly Tai Chi class when I remembered that
it was not being held because of a Memory Health
Fair using the same location. At first I thought
"Well, I'll just stay home," then I realized this
was an opportunity to check on the latest resources
available in my area and to chat with some new
people. I am so glad that I attended the Memory
Health Fair. I reconnected with a few folks and did
find some new resources to assist me with caregiving
my 88 year old father and 85 year old aunt (mother's
sister). I even had an opportunity to minister some
wisdom on developing a possible marital relationship
to a student psychologist! So, I was richly blessed
and refreshed because I chose to take some time for
myself!!
Thanks again for your
newsletter.
CM
Thanks for asking what we do
for our own respite (or get-aways) whether they be
small or large. Here are some of the things I do:
My husband has MS and can no longer walk or dress
himself, etc. He spends his time either in his lift
recliner or in his power wheelchair. Since he sleeps
in his recliner until noon, I take a couple hours in
the mornings and go to the library where I
study Spanish. I also will spend time in the
basement doing Yoga or go to the mall to walk or
windowshop a couple times a week. A month ago I
spent a day at my son's house and played all day on
the floor with my grandchildren. It was great! The
big thing I did for myself was to take a weeklong
vacation and go to Honduras last September to visit
my other son (and now daughter-in-law who is
Honduran). My husband's mother stayed with him and
took care of him so I could get away. It was great
to me in another culture and see how they live.
P.A.
I only found you a few
months ago and immediately shared my findings with
Crossroads and Carers. Two big organizations in the
caring profession here in the UK.
The last week I took respite
week was about the middle of last year.
When I can and my piggy bank is
healthy enough for me to take time out, getting the
moment right for all, takes a lot of
hard planning, preparation and cooperation. When
it's all in place I take myself of to Cortijo Romero
in Spain. Owned by two dear friends of mine and many
others.
Alan & Anne Dale provide a
wonderful place of paradise in a beautiful spot in
the south amongst the mountains, with waterfalls,
and a warm feeling that you are taken care of.
J.C.
Although
I'm not a caregiver any longer, I still look forward
to your newsletter. When my beloved was home with
me, my respite from the pressure of caring for him
and the house was to set at the sewing machine. He
was my cheerleader when I sewed 100 blankets for
babies affected by Hurricane Katrina. Shortly after
doing that, I met a lady who sews blankets for
Project Linus. These blankets go to sick children.
Is there nothing sweeter than a happy child's smile?
So, I became involved. As my husband progressed to
the nursing home, I carried blanket parts to the
home with me to work on while I visited him. It
kept his interest up on what I was doing and I
didn't feel like I needed to be elsewhere doing
something.
Now, I live in a senior
retirement complex. We have a monthly newsletter
and I had a piece put in asking if any ladies would
like to come and tie blankets. It started out with
only 2 or 3 coming each week. But this past winter
we had as high as 16 one afternoon. This group has
tied over 70 blankets that were donated to Project
Linus and everyone now has a cause to work for. But
the absolutely best part is all the socialization
that goes on while we're working on the blankets and
afterwards over a cup of coffee.
If one of us sees something on
TV or reads an article about managing our own
health, like exercise we discuss it. If we walk the
halls on each floor which is circular, almost, 6
trips around is 1 mile. We are now all walking more
and anxiously awaiting nice weather so we can walk
outside. Even the ones using walkers are exercising
more. Encouragement and praise goes a long ways in
getting these bodies moving. Like you said, respite
is what we make of it, IF we want to take care of
ourselves. Respite time is a necessary time to keep
your own mental health and physical health. Even a
long bubble bath is respite if you have no one
yelling at you for help while you soak your cares
away.
Fondly, F.J.
I take a
break, what you might consider respite, about once a
month for a few hours, when I have an aide stay with
my husband so I can meet a friend for lunch and do
some shopping, or just visiting. It never seems
like enough time. I don't know where I would go, or
what I would do if I took a week, or even a few
days of respite though. I would feel like I was
shirking my duties as a good wife and caregiver. I
don't think I could do that. I also wouldn't feel
right about putting my husband in a respite room at
the nursing home just so I could have a break,
unless I was sick and needed someone to care for him
because I couldn't do it.
Judy
After
almost 7 years as a caregiver, I recently discovered
day care. There is a wonderful new facility in
Coral Springs, FL called Sarah Adult Day care
Center. State of the art and of the heart.
Wonderful people and two great dogs for pet therapy.
It has given me some of the respite I have so badly
needed.
I hope this will help other
caregivers as well.
Best Regards
Corky Hochler
NW Medical Center Support Group
I am
different than most for I will be 90 years old on
July 8th and my best time is playing tennis four
times per week. At that time my head is perfectly
clear and is only thinking of the next shot.
Howard
LoveSharer
