Good ideas for those who are financially solid, but for those of us who don't have a lot of options, it would be helpful to post some ideas on how to explain to the seniors in our lives that it's good for them and for us to have some private time. Seniors are very sensitive to this as they tend to view themselves as burdens (a byproduct of living in a society that is only now beginning to understand seniors and their needs.) The ideal solution of course, would be to have several people living in the house as that gives seniors lots of companionship and support which is what they really need and can't get from just one person. A variation on the African proverb and Senator Clinton's remark that "it takes a village to raise a child" would be it takes a village to sustain an elder.

These are great suggestions. I think many people that do care for their elderly parents fall into it and do not see themselves as a caregiver. They also don't realize the stress associated with seemingly just watching over mom or dad or both. As a former primary caregiver of a dying aunt, these are great ways for someone to get the time they need to rejuvenate themselves.