Hi. I mentioned respte care; but, a few other things pop into my mind. My mom had a lengthy bout of her own and dad (in his 60s) at the time became her sole careprovider (I did not live anywhere near their community). It would have been terribly difficult for him and it would have taken a toll both physically and mentally. Dad took advantage of the twice yearly two-night respte he was allowed.

He joined a support group for family care providers and this helped tremendously I am told - especially with guilt but also frustrations.

He took a weeklong course on homecare which provided him not only with information on available resources (like respite he otherwise wouldn't have known of) but a network of acquaintances dealing with similar situations. Sometimes, I understand, they would trade off the occasional day allowing each other the opportunity to get things done or even get away for a chance to treat themselves to a coffee.

Both of these endeavours allowed for opportunity to take a mental health break, to understand they weren't alone, and developed friendships between like minded people. i believe they took a lot of stress and a great deal of guilt off my father's shoulders.