This is all good, Deborah. All good. You will come to love these people as they make your life a little better.

They are wonderful and Judy is so right.
They know what they are doing and will be so helpful to you and Rollie.

My kids and their friends are going camping this weekend for about 4 days. Ordinarily, this means that I stay home with Rollie and Zander (grandson) but I told them I just didn't think I would be able to handle it this time so..... my youngest daughter volunteered to stay home with me. I thought that was nice of her, it makes me think that my kids really do understand.

Everything sounds good and your extra respite care sounds terrific. (mine hasn't offered me that) otherwise sounds pretty much like the Hospice in Ohio. They are probably all similar and offer what they feel is needed in each case. All I know is that I am so glad that we (& Sharon) all have them now just for the sake of knowing there is always somewhere to turn for help if needed.

I am so glad you sound a bit rejuvinated..hugs to you and a big hug to your daughter. It is true when the kids come through it means so much!!! :)

They even have a program for my son, Grief Busters, a counselor will meet with him once a week and see how he's doing and how he is coping.

Please take all of the help you can. Do NOT hesitate to call Hospice in the middle of the night!! I called them more than once and they talked to me and often calmed me before they arrived. My father was so bad, when they first came in they stayed 24 hours a day for 3 days, until they felt he was stable and we could handle it. It was a blessing. They taught me a lot also. I don't know if your Hospice has this or not, but ours had music therapy. It was for my father and us also if we felt it would help. My father was no longer conscious by that point, but I will never forget the smile that briefly came upon his face when she sang one of his favorite songs. After that I often took my computer into his room and played some of his favorites. I don't know if he enjoyed it, but I enjoyed sitting with him, holding his hand and hearing that beautiful music.

((((((((((HUGS TO YOU))))))))))

Deborah,
I am so glad for you that hospice is finally coming through. I dont know if you saw my reply on your post about kids hurting too. But so very happy that they did the re-evaluation and things are falling into place for you.

Please take advantage as often as possible to get some ME time. This is getting to a very difficult part of the journey as you well know, and you have to keep your health up as well. The stress alone can do major damage, let alone how we damage ourselves and our health with our own thoughts and worries.

Take everything one hour and one day at a time. You cant ever get everything done when you think it should be done. There is no rush to get anything done now. Rest when you can, relax as much as possible, and take care of you while they help take care of Rollie.

Love ya girl, keep your chin up...and know you are loved very much here.
HUGS
Janel

I had my Hospice visit yesterday as well. I received the same information as you. I am very much looking forward to the help. My problem right now is educating my children. The social worker will help me with that. I can't wait. That should help relieve some of my stress right now.

I am so relieved that you have Hospice involved now and all the support you will get as a result of being accepted into the program. You are closing in on the end of this journey and you know how much you are loved here so check in frequently Deb, Sherri and Dibbie to keep us updated.....

Finally things are looking a little less stressful for all of you who so badly needed that hospice help.

Take all you can get and take care of yourselves when you get the chance, you will need your strength for the rest of this journey.

Know you are all in my prayers for peace to come soon.

xoxo carolyn

Hi Deborah.So glad to hear that you will be in the Hospice program.Those people are saints.Here in Michigan I can have 5 consecutive days of respite care,as well as shorter times throughout the month,

The worst part of being a caregiver for me was feeling trapped.Now that I have Hospice support,I no longer feel that way.I know that when I reach my limit both physically and emotionally,all I have to do is make that call to Hospice,and scream.

that's what I'm hoping for strohm

sosadandtired;

I feel your love and thank you for it! :)

Dibbie,

In addition to the Hospice Social worker educating and assisting your children would it help at all to contact your local Alzheimer's Assoc for materials...they are good for that usually and sometimes even have a Helpline worker who will actually talk with people...maybe the SW can go first and then if you need further reinforcements...

This just sounds so much like the denial we all seem to be in at first.....along with the notion that we will be able to do this cause we want and need to....but really we learn by living/dying with it every day that it is really truly that they are dying and after a while as the decline becomes unbearable there is no longer any wish to postpone the inevitable....

Deborah,

GLAD for you and yours for Hospice....take everything they offer....when my Dad was on I could call day or night....it helped a lot to know there really was someone who would help.....