Alzheimer’s Caregivers: Finding Opportunities for Summer Fun
August 11, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Finding opportunities for summer fun (vacations, days at the beach, barbeques with friends, attending the latest movie) often seem limited for Alzheimer’s caregivers. They’re tied to the home caring for a person they find it difficult to take out with them. Or it requires a great deal of work to plan and accomplish, whether you’re arranging for care when you’re away or taking them along.
*Plan more backyard and at-home activities that the Alzheimer’s patient can watch (or stay in their room if they desire). More people are aware of Alzheimer’s disease and are more accepting of someone with Alzheimer’s than when Mother and Auntie were ill.
*If you have relatives living nearby, arrange exchanges with them. Sometimes relatives living at a distance will take the Alzheimer’s family member for a week or more. (This also makes them realize the difficulties you face in your caregiving.)
*See if there is a daycare near you that will take Alzheimer’s patitnes. When Mother was living with me, I was fortunate to find a local nursing home that took people for day time care. I also was able to make arrangements for her to stay overnightthere when I had to be away for the weekend.
*Sometimes the local senior center has daycare facilities if your patient isn’t too advanced with Alzheimer’s.
*Check with the senior center, support groups, local home health agency, your church, etc. to see if there is anyone you can engage to stay with your family member. (Something like checking out resources for babysitters when you have children.)
Do you have solutions you’ve found that enable you to get away...for an afternoon, an evening, or a week?
Check out these posts for more ”at-home” summer fun:
Time Travel Experiences for Alzheimer’s Households
13 Summer Projects for Caregivers, Alzheimer’s Patients & Children
Snowballs in July - An Activity for Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Children & Grandma to Watch
(Amazon image; click for details)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Good list of possible safe places so a caregiver can enjoy a time of respite. So far I can leave Dad home for a little while, possibly even over night, but I know the time is coming when that won’t be possible. Thankfully, we do have a place in our small town that provides over night care. You have a great blog with many creative ideas. I’m glad I found it.