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Even with my Mother's dementia, she is very aware. Did this hurt or help?

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The purpose of respite care through hospice is to give the caregiver a break. Are you asking what the impact may be on the person one is caring for?
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We have been inquiring for a week or two of respite care so my husband and i can have a break. It's been 10 years since a break. It was my dads idea. Though it is expensive i feel the break would be worth it. We know almost all the workers there and dad is comfortable going. It will give him a chance to talk to people his own age and he knows other patients. If we did not know this place i would have reservations due to all the abuse that goes on in these places. That was my biggest worry. It would be beneficial on both ends. Everyone including my dad needs a break. Anyone else do this before and how did it go?
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I've requested it for my 89 year old mother while my husband is having and recovering from surgery! Mom still lives in her home but I pay someone to stay with her at night! I take care of her bills and actually it's like having two homes to see after. Dad passed over two years ago! I know she's going to be upset as she doesn't like to leave home and come here for a few days!
Just glad your dad wants to go as that makes it easier for you!
Mom is under hospice care and they'll pay for 5 days and we pay $135.00 for each extra day! I'm having anxiety about taking her as she's very stubborn but you've made me feel it's the right thing to do! May God be with us on our journey!
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Amen!
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DO IT.... we have found that after 12 years of caregiving our health is giving out, we need some down time. They take really good care of her and mom comes back HAPPY. I do not use it as much as I should. Mom does come back with a bit more confusion but it goes away in a day or two. However any "trauma" is going to cause that whether it is extra people in our house for family gatherings, ER visits, etc., it all affects them. That said - please take advantage of this awesome benefit of Hospice. We are going to start it once a month starting this month. Mom is 91 with dementia.
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Yes, just do it.
My power went off one evening recently. I called hospice because MIL's mattress is the alternating air circulating type. It slowly deflates when there is no power. Also the house was getting cold. Hospice picked up MIL at midnight and took her to their facility. Since she was already there anyway they encouraged me to leave her there for 4 days. It was WONDERFUL.
The only difficulty was readjusting to her return. Sort of like a sinking feeling in my stomach.
The power outage forced me to do it - should have done it sooner. You will really enjoy your time off.
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You can get gardianship without a lawyer just ask the judge to give it to you and why he should. Its simple but not if you ask a lawyer. Lawers are for making money not giving it away but their four hands are always open and their long split tongs will slerp it right down.
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It can be extra confusing for someone with dementia to be placed in a different environment. I understand that you want to minimize discomfort and confusion for your Mother. One needs to weigh this temporary discomfort for them, however, against one's need for some rest/relaxation so you can remain healthy to go on to provide ongoing care. As I say to the members of the caregiver group I facilitate, "You are not more important, but you are as important as the loved one for whom you're caring." Also, 40 % (min) of caregivers die before the person they're care for. Self-care is not a luxury, but a NECESSITY in my mind.
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So true jfryhospice. I ended up in the ER last week because of bp being 165/125 and 200/108 the second time. Had echo and cat scan done, all was well, it all came from STRESS and not taking care of my needs to stay healthy. Self-care is a necessity and I am beginning to realize it is not just mom's life and comfort that are necessary but mine equally....it's taken 13 years to get to this point... LOL
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Respite care is not a luxury; it's a necessity. I worked as a hospice nurse and understand the pressures of caregiving. I say take the needed break because if you can't care for yourself...you sure can't care for someone else! The stress is huge as a caregiver! take a breath, take a break
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Care4Mom2.....some women never get to the point of allowing self-care and comfort, so good for you for paying attention to your "warning signs" before something worse happened!! My mom was one of those who didn't while caring for her mother, and died of a heart attack just short of her 62nd birthday. My dad found a handwritten record my mom had been keeping of her blood pressure (she had a home monitor) which had been going up and up. She never went to the doctor to follow-up on it. Big HUG for the work you and others do as Caregivers. Caregivers are my heroes/heroines!!!
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