Thanks Helen! Right now I just need a break every once in awhile. It’s hard for me to find anything that my husband will accept. I can’t get away for an in-person group or anything else. Our son comes over when he can on the weekend and that helps. He has a family so his availability is limited. I’m still trying to find other options.

@A myALZteam Member: In response to your question "HOW do you find good Respite Care options?" it really depends on the kind of respite you need: a few hours a week? Or more?

For a few hours a week: We had excellent care from an Adult Day Care program in our area, which provided excellent activities and socialization. For this, I listened to what was being recommended by other Caregivers in my local, in-person Support Group, and they weren't wrong. If you're not already a member of a local, in-person Support Group, I would urge you to find one. It's the best way to find out what your local resources are.

When you need more: A year ago, I had become sleep-deprived and a few daytime hours wasn't enough, so I asked for help from my husband's son. He and his wife very graciously took him into their home and gave me 5 days off. I slept and slept.

This year, after going through several really traumatic months as Caregiver to both my son (who was spiraling) and my husband (who was declining rapidly), I knew I needed more than a few days off, to get my son moved and settled, and to rest and decompress. So I arranged a one-month Respite Stay for my husband, in Memory Care, at a facility I personally knew well, because I had been the Risk Manager for the entire chain. That has since turned into a permanent placement.

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