I am taking my wife to a hospice mental health center for her the first time. My wife is in an advanced stage of dementia Alzheimer’s. I’m just burned out taking care of her and desperately need a break. Please advise on preparations on how to take her to the mental care facility for a short term respite time. I just don’t know if she’s going to cooperate with me taking her there. Thank you, nervous and anxious husband.
If necessary, you can call a private medical transport company to take her, which may be more feasible than driving her yourself. Depending on whether she can safely sit in the car, or needs to go one a stretcher/bed, you can go along with them or follow in your own car.
Also, please evaluate whether this is an opportunity to follow up by placing her in long-term care. She may do better than you expect. Don't spend the precious time off worrying. Use the time for what's it's meant for -- rest and respite. And then think about whether that would be the best situation for both of you going forward, with her getting additional medical care and you getting relief from burnout.
I wish you well with your much-deserved break. Let us know how it goes.
And your wife will be just fine, as will you.
And please make sure that you continue to take advantage of the respite that hospice offers as you can have your wife in respite once every 90 days for 5 days each time.
God bless you as you continue on this journey with your wife.