I am currently in the second day of my five-day Hospice respite, and can't believe how wonderful it is. I had no idea how tired and frazzled I was until the ambulettte carted DH off to the nursing home, and I had the incredible (so far) experience of two full nights of unbroken sleep in a dark room, and (so far) a peaceful, quiet, day and a half with the house tidied of most of the adaptive equipment (just slipped most of it out of sight). I've taken two long, long walks in the park with no need to rush home because the aide has to leave. I thought I would want to do a million things--take a trip, go shopping, whatever…but so far just zoning out and just enjoying the "sounds of silence" has been all I've wanted to do. I do need to get the car out and go take care of probate matters surrounding my mother's death in January (the biggest reason DH is in Hospice--I'm the court-appointed administrator of my mother's tiny estate--like I really need this)…but I did tell DD and her family that they are on their own for dinner the three weekdays that I normally would be making dinner for all seven of us. God is going to get me for this, but what a joy not to have the family here for a few days. So a break from all the toileting and transfers…a break from all the grocery-shopping and cooking while trying to keep the grands from destroying my house…Yay!! Have any of the rest of you really enjoyed Hospice respite? Am I a terrible person for enjoying my break from DH so much?
elizabeth, dear, check your guilt into long-term storage. Enjoy your time away, the peace and freedom. Recharge your batteries. Don't let guilt spoil a much needed and deserved respite. Do you need to write 100 times "I will not let guilt spoil this good time"? No, don't even waste the time. Open the door and order it OUT.
I just came home two weeks ago from a 5 day respite when my DH was in an NH. It was wonderful, and I came back feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, with an energy level I had not felt for a long time. My patience with DH has been restored and I can continue to do the necessary care giving without getting frustrated. No guilt. In the fall, I am taking one week of respite a month to recharge my batteries. I won't be going anywhere, just doing as you are doing and getting some rest, and enjoying activities that I like to do, and I don't feel guilty about that decision either.