Day by Day with Parkinson's and Peripheral Neuropathy: We've Hired a Respite Aide!!

Day by Day with Parkinson's and Peripheral Neuropathy

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and Peripheral Neuropathy in 2006, but my symptoms seemed to take a turn in a different direction in late 2007. The current diagnosis is Essential Myoclonus. You will find record here of a my journey - coping with the testing, the medicines, nutrition, digestion problems, exercise, the emotions, and no telling what else!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

We've Hired a Respite Aide!!

I talked to Daddy yesterday about me needing some rest and a chance to settle my nerves and my stomach, and the fact that I had a doctor's appointment coming up that would require finding someone to stay with him that day. He was agreeable to me trying to get the lady who had stayed at the house when I needed relief with Mama. I was a little surprised he agreed to it so quickly, but very glad he did.

So, I left a message for her to call, and she and I made some arrangements last night. She's going to spend all day on Friday and part of the day on Sunday with Daddy, so DH and I can get completely away from the care giving responsibilities for just a little while. That will be good for us both, but particularly for me, I think. It also means we can go back to going to the yard sales and Estate Sales and having our Date Day again. I've really missed that. And I can go to at least Sunday School, and probably church, too.

Thank goodness Daddy has never been one to spend a lot of money, so we should be able to take care of the respite care costs without a problem. I really feel for those care givers who are not able to pay anyone to give themselves a break every once in awhile. I hope for their sakes that they have family nearby who can spell them. Since we don't have family near, this is our best choice. She's already used to Daddy, and he's already used to her, and we trust her. We couldn't ask for a better combination.

Frances was so excited to hear from us, being the Christmas season, and she was between jobs. She was more than happy to take part time work, under the circumstances. I told her we'd understand if she found full time employment, as long as she kept her obligation for my Dec. 20th appointment. She agreed. So a salary was agreed on, and she will be at Daddy's at 7:00AM this Friday!!

Labels: care giving, Friday Date Day, respite care, stomach, stress

4 Comments:

At 12/07/2006 2:08 PM , Marion said...

I am so happy for you, DB, respite care is so important, especially for people such as yourself, who are battling ill health themselves.

I can't thank you enough for your thoughts and understanding on the problems my family is undergoing at the present time.
At 12/07/2006 2:25 PM , Dirty Butter said...

I'm pleased, too, Marion, as this particular lady is almost always busy. I just happened to catch her in between clients.

As for your own situation, I read parts of your post to my DH, and he agreed that it sounded so much like that last time Mama was in the hospital that it was eerie. Take care and know that you and yours are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.
At 12/08/2006 1:43 PM , ambar said...

Thank you for your blog. My grandmother currently has Parkinson's but is too proud to really tell us much about it. (She is a stubborn Southern woman!) Reading your blog helps me to learn more about her disease and what she maybe going through. I think and care about her a lot, just wish she could humble herself more and talk honestly about her condition.

You are brave and are helping out a lot of people with your blog!!
At 12/08/2006 4:32 PM , Dirty Butter said...

Thank you for your kind words, Ambar. Just remember that there are many different ways that Parkinson's Disease effects people, so what I'm describing may not be anything like what your grandmother is experiencing. For instance, I do not have the tremors that most PD people have. Instead, I move very slowly. When I am very tired, I look almost like Frankenstein!!