Taking Care of Herself

Lyn has a very busy schedule now that day hab has been added into the mix.  Aside from day hab, she's still working with her speech therapist, bowling and going out a couple times a week with her respite provider.  They have cut back the hours spent with the respite provider a bit because day hab is going so well for Lyn.

The change in the schedule has opened up about 20 hours a week for Mom.  This is such a welcome change for her.  Mom has decided that she's going to look into activities or exercise classes for herself.  I am thrilled to hear that she's doing this.  While she is technically retired and is very active in her church, she will benefit greatly from the physical activity as well as the social and mental stimulation that she'll get by interacting with others involved in whatever activity or class she enrolls.

Being a full-time caretaker for another person is physically and emotionally draining.  When a parent is tending to a young child, we have the hope that the child will grow and begin taking on independence to help us get through the long days and the nights of interrupted sleep.  When you're caring for a person in the twilight of their life, you don't have that hope to help you through.  You know that your care for this person will only increase until the person is at a point of requiring a nursing home or passes away.  With a child, you can mark developmental milestones which may be met at a fairly consistent rate.  With a declining individual, they may also have milestones but those changes may not come at a pace you can anticipate.  As I write this, I recognize the ever increasing responsibility Mom is taking on and am proud of her for recognizing that she needs to also protect her own physical and emotional health.