Lilla9: Perhaps you can find more time to spend with your nine grandchildren. That should keep you occupied. Other social events could be found at garden clubs and those other activities that you find interesting.
By taking baby steps and getting out there doing things you enjoy. Start with just sitting out on your porch or patio with a glass of wine or whatever kind of drink you like, and just enjoy the scenery. Then you can go for a walk around your neighborhood. And then you can start making lunch or supper plans with just a few friends so you can get away and reconnect with them. And going to church is always a great option as well. Do you have access to an Adult Day care for your husband to go to 2 or more times a week to give you a break and allow you to go and do the things that you enjoy? If not, your church may have some volunteers that would be willing to come stay with your husband so you can get out for a while. When my husband(who had vascular dementia)was completely bedridden and under hospice care in our home, I purchased some Blink cameras so I could keep an eye on him from my phone when I chose/had to be out and about. They worked great and I was able to hear him if he needed anything. The ones they have now, have the 2 way talk so you can not only hear, but can talk to the person you're checking on as well. And they're not very expensive. I would also recommend getting connected with a local caregiver support group. You can Google to see if you have one in your area. That's how I found the one that I've been attending for over 4 years now, and it truly saved my life as I was at my wits end caring for my husband. My husband had been dead for 1 year and 8 months now but I still attend as it's my turn to pay it forward. Many are back to meeting in person and many are still on Zoom. It's so very important that you are taking care of yourself, because if you don't you will be the one who will die before your husband. And then what? Please start putting yourself out there and start enjoying life again, because we only get one shot at this life, so why not make the very best of it. God bless you my dear.
Join some online support groups and some other activities that you can do online, like exercise classes or clubs. That's a start that you can do from home.
Do you have access to an Adult Day care for your husband to go to 2 or more times a week to give you a break and allow you to go and do the things that you enjoy?
If not, your church may have some volunteers that would be willing to come stay with your husband so you can get out for a while.
When my husband(who had vascular dementia)was completely bedridden and under hospice care in our home, I purchased some Blink cameras so I could keep an eye on him from my phone when I chose/had to be out and about. They worked great and I was able to hear him if he needed anything. The ones they have now, have the 2 way talk so you can not only hear, but can talk to the person you're checking on as well. And they're not very expensive.
I would also recommend getting connected with a local caregiver support group. You can Google to see if you have one in your area. That's how I found the one that I've been attending for over 4 years now, and it truly saved my life as I was at my wits end caring for my husband. My husband had been dead for 1 year and 8 months now but I still attend as it's my turn to pay it forward.
Many are back to meeting in person and many are still on Zoom.
It's so very important that you are taking care of yourself, because if you don't you will be the one who will die before your husband. And then what?
Please start putting yourself out there and start enjoying life again, because we only get one shot at this life, so why not make the very best of it.
God bless you my dear.