Does anyone have any tips for starting respite through home care when the person with dementia doesn't like the idea of having a stranger in the house or a 'babysitter'? How can we make this situation less stressful and go more smoothly for everyone involved?

This is a great question and I hope it does result in replies. As you can see from my other posts my wife wanted to be able to 'see' me at all times. If I went in my home office and shut the door to be able to see me the poor caregiver was left sitting alone in the living room which defeats the purpose of having respite. I often wondered if in time it would have turned out better but Doreen ended up in long term care after only two days of respite.

I really hope some replies get posted to this question. What are other peoples thoughts????
 

Dean in Red Deer

There are a variety of Adult Day Programs in Edmonton, which can be accessed through home care, this would give the person with dementia the opportunity to attend a day program where they can socialize, play games, and have lunch. My grandma did not want respite care but was happy to attend a day program 2 days a week. This then provided my grandpa 2 days a week to take some time for himself and it gave my grandma the opportunity to get out of the house and make new friends. 

Some loved ones won't go to a day program. There is a way to 'turn' this into an opportunity. Your loved one may want to be doing something and I heard (wink, wink, wink) that there is a program at the (fill in the blank) and they need some help. Why don't we go down and see what it's about? Spend the day or part of it with them. If at some point in the future they don't want to go, play the 'they are really depending on you to be there and help run or attend to make it possible for the other loved ones to go' card. I'm passionate about the care givers and I absolutlley know in my heart, respite for the care giver is vital to remaining healthy for their loved ones.