I invite you to log onto the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and read today's blog. I would very much like to hear your comments about both my and your ideas of the future.
I have always been a planner, and this not knowing what is next is making me nuts. A future without my DH is not what I planned. And now the unknown of when I will be alone is making me nuts. I think you have hit on something, make a plan, it may work, it may not, but make a plan. I like that. I have been caring for kids and a husband all my life, I started at 17. I do not know any other life. I still have a 14yr old at home. The thought of a life by myself is so strange. You all would be proud of me, I have in the past 6 months been reconnecting with people who I have know in past, but lost touch because of work and family. I don't know where life will take me, but I want to make sure all my doors are open.
Joan, you've given me something to think about. My mind has been occupied for 5 years on how to get through the "now", which is always in a state of change. Although I am a planner too, the future seems too fuzzy and far away to spend time focusing on it. But in general terms, travel, taking classes, doing something with art, reading more for pleasure, are all on my list. Yes, I'm surprised you would want to do a road trip because your aversion to driving is well known here! However, I can see where there's a huge difference between having the driving dropped on you along with everything else, vs. voluntarily driving to travel.
I love road trips. I'm SURE that's in my future. Well, as sure as I can be about anything. I also mean to sign on for some travel tours of the slightly more adventurous kind...a National Geographic educational sailing trip to the Antarctic, or an Amazon cruise and Spanish immersion classes. I'd rather not be alone, but at least the education will distract me.
There are previous posts about this. Whether making a focused plan, like joan's or lists of options like marilynMD and emily, we need to think ahead to our futures. Whether making "Twenty Wishes" (Deb Macomber) or a "Bucket List" focusing on things we want to do and contemplating making them happen can be a boost to our current morale. This really isn't any different than planning for "after the kids leave the nest" or "after retirement". It's planning for the AFTER we know is coming.
I plan to survive this Dementia Road, and I've got things I'd like to do; things I want to do; and things I will do.
Joan, you've described my ideal trip. I've been all over the world, but my dream has always been to drive around like that in a small RV, van-type, (the kind that probably costs a fortune) and just wander wherever I wanted to. Like you, I avoid highway driving, and I'm also almost 80 yrs. old, so that dream will never come true. So I'll be rooting for you to do it someday.
Joan, your plan sounds wonderful. I myself LOVE to drive. We bought a small camper (an r*pod) this spring & we haven't actually used it for camping yet, but we are going this weekend (we are going to a local campground with our neighbor who is going to show me how to do all the set up & then he will come back the next morning to show me how to break down camp.) I know that I will be doing most if not all of the work, but I am prepared for it. I plan on taking DH along as long as he is able to go, but when that is no longer an option I plan on going by myself as long as I am physically able. blue, I am a planner like you & the unknown is also making me crazy, but I do think about the future & try to make plans on what I am going to do when I am alone.
Oh my goodness.. just when I'm still trying to figure out a WISE way of staying close enough to DH's facility.. I check in here and see these enticing commentssss!! Woke up thinking..ok will buy the mobile home..decent investment..can sell it AFTER..and get some return. I do have a little CASITA RV. she is older and perfect for camping..I can hook her up and set her up. She is a little fiberglass encased twinkie and so easy to pull..but I have to think longer term and was considering a bigger RV just to be able to stay mobile if necessary. If we move DH to another town or etc..I'd be able to move the RV as well. I could also be 80 or 90 AFTER..so heck.. I'm just a blithering idiot. The mobile home is possibly the thing to do. I'll still have Casita! :))))