Follow
Share

that I could get a break from caregiving.

Find Care & Housing
Jeanneb68: Start with the Council on Aging in your locality.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Llamalover47
Report

Look into placing your MIL in a care home. I know many don't want to hear this, but it really is the best situation in such cases. My MIL lives with a relative, but that relative is a healthy RN and even with that needs help at times with MIL's care.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to JustAnon
Report

If you are wanting to continue taking care of them & not place them, do or could either qualify for hospice? My father wasn’t at end of life, but is in later stage dementia so qualified for hospice. It’s been exactly a year now. With many hospice companies, they allow a 5 day respite every month. They take care of the arrangements & it doesn’t cost anything. It’s usually at a local nursing home.
Just another option to consider.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to Ltracy
Report

Yes to all Fawnby said.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Evamar
Report

Start jumping through the hoops to get BOTH MIL and husband into a care facility.

There's not enough respite on this earth to save you in this situation. As they say on airplanes, put on your own oxygen mask first before you try to save others. If you're gone (and I mean sidelined by a stroke brought on by stress, or even death), who helps those two people?

Sometimes the best care we can provide for our loved ones is to find others to do it. Then we can become wife instead of caregiver, trusted confidant instead of the commando they hate because we make them bathe, and the bright spirit who visits with a bouquet of flowers, an amusing story, and a backrub that is much welcome. We do not have to throw ourselves on THEIR funeral pyre.

I'm sorry you're in this situation and hope you find a permanent way to lighten the burden that you're carrying.
Helpful Answer (11)
Reply to Fawnby
Report

The Eldercare Locator is a public service provided by the Administration on Aging  that connects older adults, caregivers, and families to local resources and services across the United States.
Phone: (800) 677-1116

They can point you in the right direction.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to HaveYourBack
Report

Here’s the link to the GUIDE program that provides respite care. The patient must have a dementia diagnosis. It’s new and just started in July 2025. https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Lakegirl2
Report

Many facilities that have Memory Care of Assisted Living will do Respite. There are "hoops" to jump through. A doctor note saying they are in good health. A TB test would probably be needed and depending on where you live it might be a 2 stage test. A blood test would also be acceptable.
If either or both are eligible for Hospice that is one of the benefits of Hospice.
If either are diagnosed with any dementia there is a new program through Medicare that does provide a lot more services.
The GUIDE program offers.
Caregiver training,
Resources and referrals
Care services coordination
Telehealth accessibility
24/7 access to specialty providers
RESPITE CARE...$2500 per year towards in-home respite care, adult day program and 24/7 community care.
Research the GUIDE program.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

Sounds like you need more than respite, a new plan for MIL is needed if you hope to keep your own health and be any good as a caregiver for your husband. Find an alternative living arrangement for MIL and respite for husband. Contact your local senior social services agency for guidance on what’s available in your area
Helpful Answer (11)
Reply to Daughterof1930
Report
Katybr Aug 24, 2025
Dear Lord, you need to get that MIL placed ASAP and concentrate on your husband! I am 72 WAS caring for my wonderful husband until April of 2024. He has end stage FTD/Aphasia and is 77. His mother is 101 almost 102 living the life in a retirement community in perfect health! IF she were not, I’d have been on the phone with social workers nonstop until she was placed. My husband deserves the highest of care and is like a newborn baby. I go in and feed him every day. Just thinking of his mother makes my nerves go nuts! My parents died at 87 and handled their own issues in a great retirement community.
You must be burned out! Get MIL in a facility! Those years with your husband can’t be replaced. Make the most of your time together now. MIL already lived a century.
(3)
Report
Some Assisted livings give respite and some NHs.

I think though if I was in your shoes, I would place MIL. If your DH is 79 you are probably around the same age. I am 75 and DH 78 and if I had to care for him in anyway, I would not be caring for someone else too.
Helpful Answer (10)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter