As a caregiver, how do you find time for yourself?

For awhile, my husband could keep track of my aunt for a few hours, and later it was paid caregiver.  My aunt's money covered outside help.

It depends on the needs of the person you are caring for. If you want to actually leave your residence and your LO cannot care for him/herself, you’ll have to ”cover” their care for as long as you’re away. This may mean enlisting the help of a family member, trusted friend or hiring an adult sitter. If your LO needs medical care, the person would have to be trained or be a medical professional.

For myself, I go on my own personal “vacation” without leaving my home. My husband is bedridden and I read, knit and used to do some crafts. I go to my room at 10PM and just chill out with my iPad.

Respite care, if doable, is also a Godsend. Currently my husband is in rehab for his mobility issues and has been gone since late June. The peace and quiet is much appreciated!

When someone invites me to something like dinner or a concert, I stop before I say no and think.......do I need time to relax and enjoy myself? The answer is yes, so, I choose YES. I then go and focus on letting things go for a little while. An adult beverage is also usually involved and it's so nice to unwind and have a pleasant time with friends and acquaintances. It's nice to see a glimpse of the fun person that I used to be.