FIND RESPITE – If you’re focusing most – if not all – of your time, energy, and resources on caring for a loved one with dementia, you may find you cannot sustain doing so over the long-term. With proper self-care, you can relax and recharge, manage caregiver stress, and become a better and more effective caregiver. Consider sitting on the porch and reading a book, a brisk walk, a cup of Starbucks, an ice cream cone, a massage, a warm bath with soothing scents. These things need to be done regularly in order to maintain your own health.

I read these words again this morning. Only I can find respite for myself. That is often hard for the care person to see clearly. I went outside to straighten the small garden area we have. The steady rain over the past few days which has darkened Cheryl’s mood also has loosened to soil around a Jacob’s hook holding a hanging plant Cheryl got for mother’s day.

Five minutes but peaceful and rewarding.

Carpe Diem.