I think there are many in-person opportunities in our community to volunteer, but I'm trying to avoid a sitter to watch Mom while I go out. We have to private pay for everything and I plan to spend money only when Mom is fully bed-ridden.
I work in a school for 4 hours with special ed preschoolers and then do Target runs. Beyond that, it seems my life has no meaning at all. I'm also an empty nester mom.
My in-laws watch my mom when I work and do the Target runs because they are essential things. I don't want to take advantage of their goodness and keep running out of the house to volunteer.
Are there Zoom volunteer opportunities? Unlike some of my friends, I don't sing, dance, paint, write... so there's no opportunity to meet other people or do something worthwhile.
If mom wants to seek treatment for anything then hospice isn't really an option.
You can talk with her doctor about her eligibility for services.
you can put your mom on Hospice n have loads of help! Don’t get caregiver burn out!! Hospice is usually paid for by Ins n Medicare. There is also Respite Care where she can go to the unit for a week!
look into it!
Also look into Veteran’s Benefits if her spouse or she served in the War.
Good luck! I’m beginning my journey taking care of my mom!!
I have read about some facilities that offer "respite" programs for caretakers to take a break. Not sure if they have drop in care.
There is opportunity to go out. Go to meetup.com and find local meetups. I used to belong to a great women's group to meet up to do all sorts of fun things like dinner, dancing, bowling, zip line, putt putt golf, pot lucks to hang out and chat etc. Anything we could come up with. A person would suggest it and we would do it. We had a core group of women, then other ladies would come and go based on their interests and time. There were some who just wanted to do dinner, or drinks and dancing, or pot lucks. Was diff each time.
You can start your own group based on whatever you like. You could even do a meetup via zoom and have dinner & chat. Coffe & chat etc. Meet new people. Whatever your imagination comes up with.
Good luck.
OMG I would love to do that too! I'd love to laugh about these strange experiences, just like you have, with someone who used to be my mom, too.
(I'm in California)
Good Luck!!
If the first one doesn't work out, try, try again.
It’s only a suggestion: instead, do great things for yourself. For example, start writing a novel? Learn new recipes? Learn how to play a new instrument? The piccolo?
If the point of volunteering is to meet other people, start a new hobby and then join an online group? But let it be an activity that helps your life. You already help others enough :).
Time to focus on you :).
Have you called your local area's Agency on Aging to see if any local organizations offer adult day care at a lower cost, like some church's might? I'm not sure they spend the money to advertise it but I know it exists as a thing.
Another great resource is Nextdoor.com because it's an intranet of your actual neighbors and people in the slightly wider community. Ask them if they know of online volunteer programs or good adult day cares. I wish you all the best!
It is set up so that seniors that live alone, get a wellness call and social connection daily.
I would contact the counsel on aging, they probably know if this is available and who runs it.