Last night I saw a show about a camp for kids who had lost a loved one. They did normal camp activities, but also had plenty of time to talk with counselors and other campers about their loss.
This made me think--wouldn't it be wonderful if there could be a "camp" for caregivers? I think that for caregivers it should be a spa, though, instead of a summer camp. But how wonderful it would be to have somebody take care of us for a change, and serve us lovely, healthy meals and let us rest as much as we wanted to. We could have a massage or a soak in a hot tub, and maybe a nap or two. Then, when we felt like it, there would be people around to talk to who knew exactly what caregiving was like, and would have planned methods for helping us deal with the toll it has taken on us.
Okay, I know this is only a dream. But it did make me wonder—why isn't there such a place for caregivers? There certainly are a lot of us in this country, with many more to come. Why not at least retreats for caregivers? There are retreats for all sorts of other things. The most we have in our area is a once a year day-long caregiver seminar. I'm talking about something that would be a real break from our daily responsibilities, but designed for our situation. Even a long weekend of this would be wonderful.
Jan K--don't know where you live, but take a look at www.nancys-house.org It's located near Philadelphia, and they do respite stays for caregivers and retreats. Obviously, the need is out there and you're right, things like this should be widely available.
Even a camp or dude ranch would be fun for CGs...imagine outdoors, camp fires, the smell of bacon in the morning and fresh coffee and then a trail ride on horseback? Or fishing for those who like to mangle worms, just hikes...that could be a lot of fun. We used to go to a working ranch in WY...we didn't work but they had horses and wonderful dogs there, fishing, and good home cooked meals....no menus mind you,,,,whatever the cooke decided but my lord the grub was good..that sound good to me.
Marilyn thanks for the heads up on Nancy-house. With coming up on my yearly and only respite trip (4 days away with best girlfriends) I realize that I need to space out a couple of additional breaks through out the year. Since beginning this Marathon called Alzheimers, hubby (with company) we have been able to travel. That time is over and the breaks need to be with me alone. This place is a perfect fit, close by (via car) and price to be VERY affordable to a caregiver on a budget. Oh a big time thanks, now to find some care .....easier said than done. My sister travels to stay with hubby would need someone close by .....they suggest once every 4 months, this is a plan I have got to work towards. It's just a two day stay but could be a life saver. Plan also in checking out the book "The Cortisol Connection" This was a wealth of information, thanks again.
Terry54--contact Nancy's house now--you may have to get on a waiting list. I think they depend on donations to fund their operation.
My experience was that travel with my husband after dx was "moving the work to another location" (I think Joan initially said that.) I'm glad we were able to take some nice trips, though, he enjoyed them in the moment. I didn't do any respite trips for several years because I was afraid he was too unpredictable to be left in anyone's care. Looking back, I don't know how I did it so long without breaks--you have the right idea.
I am thinking of doing an art piece called "respite" And I want to go, I want to go. We are heading to the doctor today, to see if I can qualify for my 10 hours a week respite. Wish me luck I will let you know.
That is a great way to put it "moving the work to another location" I always thought of it as .....changing the view but not the work :) I finish hubbies bucket list last year.....hot air balloon, try getting him into a bucket when you can't understand lift your leg !!! I think right now giving up my Walks has been harder than I thought it would be. But I can see that with it being a year since my last respite break it's to long. I am becoming impatient and I don't like myself when I do. I accept I have to work full time and clean up Pee everywhere......u'd be surprised how many pee towels we have :) As a Walker I am use to being the slow one, here for the long haul, but rest breaks like water breaks are a must for the Marathon/Alzheimer caregiver journey. With having no family here or good friends on hand that will help it's all a struggle and an awfully long day. I will contact Nancy house and project ahead ....thanks again
It sure is "moving the work to another location".. I find this so true just for an overnight trip for DH to see his siblings 3 hours away. Get the pills, etc and all the stuff to go with it....and then hope to high heaven your schedule and routine isn't so disrupted you forget to get the meds in on time.. It just isn't worth it..and people who do not face this task day to day and think " oh a few days in a new location would be just the thing for both of you, something different to look at..." just do not understand the logistics of such a tasker.
Silly me. Last summer I wanted to go visit my realtives so bad that I thought, “what's the difference if I take care of him here or there?” BIG difference! Althought it went fine (we actually went twice) I know that with his decline over the past 6 months we will not be making any trips this summer. He is more confused & he doesn't remember my relatives so he would constantly be asking me who is who. Even though everyone “understands” I'm sure it would be a shock to actually see him & the way he is.