Having a Staycation as a Caregiver

If you’re a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may not have taken a vacation for a long time. It's difficult to plan a day trip let alone a vacation for a longer time. But, because you are a caregiver, it's important to have downtime for you to rest and recuperate. So, what about taking a staycation instead?

What is a staycation?

A staycation is when you vacation at home instead of taking a vacation away from home. Believe it or not, a staycation can be just as relaxing as going on a trip. With some planning and needed supplies, you can enjoy all the benefits of taking a vacation without spending the money. Plus, you don't have be concerned about your loved one while you're away.

How to have a staycation

The first thing to do is to have a homecare caregiver hired to come to your home for the weekend or for a few days. Or, your loved one can be placed in respite care, which can be in a memory care unit or assisted living for a few days. While you’re relaxing on your staycation, your loved one will be in good hands. Plus, if you are needed in an emergency, you’re close by. Right at Home can provide this respite care for you and your loved one.

Next, tell friends and family that you're going away just as if you were leaving on vacation. Limit your email usage and internet for the days you're relaxing. Vacationing from being digital is essential to becoming grounded emotionally again. If you feel you need to check your email and internet, then pick one time and only go on at that time for just as much time as is necessary.

Purchase something for yourself as if you were leaving to go on vacation. Would you buy a new outfit? A new pair of shoes? After all, you’re saving money by not actually leaving and going on vacation.

Ideas for a staycation

There are a lot of wonderful ideas for relaxing and vacationing at home. To begin with, just knowing that your loved one is in safe hands should start to relax you alone. Some other ideas are:

1. Spa day: For this idea, you need some candles, some easy listening music, a bathtub, bubbles or bath bomb and your favorite body lotion or body scrub. Dim the bathroom lights, light the candles, start the water and add the bubbles or bath bomb for a long soak. After the soak, dry off and smooth on the lotion, add your favorite comfy bathrobe, and you're ready to curl up with a good book or movie.

2. Beach day: Choose a sunny day, put on your swimsuit, add some suntan lotion, a beach chair, some ocean sounds, an umbrella cocktail and you’re at the beach. Add a good book and stretch out in the sun and relax!

3. Museums: If you enjoy going to museums, plan your outing and stroll at a leisurely pace through your favorite museum. Maybe you've never had the time actually to study the painting which has always caught your eye. Well, today you can take all the time you want. Afterward, treat yourself to dinner at your favorite place to eat.

Keep in mind too, to give your staycation a start and end date. Then devote the time in-between to having fun and breaking up the rut you’re in. By unplugging from caregiving and taking care of yourself, you’ll come back to caregiving refreshed.

Here at Right at Home, we can supply the caregivers you need to give yourself that break. We have caregivers who specialize in dementia and Alzheimer's so your loved one will be taken care of by professionals. When you are ready for a staycation, call us or send us a message, and we'll be happy to give you the respite you deserve.