Activities to do with your loved one: Share your tips

@becsbuddy coloring books for adults, learning a new hobby that "I always wanted to try", walk around your neighborhood and look for changes in flowers and gardens. Body of water nearby? Go watch the waves, boats, people. Go fly a kite, literally! Take walks at different times of day, following the same route, and see how the light seems to change what you see.
Ginger

@becsbuddy - I'll add a few more that have worked for me. If my husband has meaningful chores, it's a huge boost. For him, raking leaves, blowing leaves off the driveway, watering plants, and weeding the garden are great activities - and they really help out. He also takes out the trash - including regular trash on Tuesday, yard waste on Wednesday and recycling on Friday. All the cans are labeled with the contents and the day of the week so its not confusing. He also carries in the groceries when I shop and helps me put them away (it refreshes his memory about where things go and helps me see where they are actually being stored!) A few other fun things we do: taking a walk together, working on a simple jigsaw puzzle, and going through old photographs to "organize" and reminisce.

those are great. I will print them out.

My mom loved tying rag fabric strips on a metal wreath frame and made wreaths and candle rings.

@wrightvillebeach I love all the suggestions! And thank you for locating this discussion for all the new members!
Why doesn’t everyone try something this week and let us know how it goes. I’d tell you which one we’re going to try, but we’re quarantined with Covid!

My wife is in intractable pain 24/7. She is unable to walk and is terribly depressed. We do inside things but she is very limited. She also resents it if I do something alone that we used to do together or visit a friend alone. We live in an independent living community that has a lot of support but she won't take advantage of it. She totally depends on me. How do I get some time for myself?

That's a question tough to answer since we have different likes and desires, but let me offer something that works for me.
I've asked ladies from our church to come visit with my wife while I go out to visit with my friends. I've asked ladies to take my wife to lunch or dinner while I go to the gym or meet with a group of men. Or I just go for a walk, a drive, or, more often, ride my bike. I have two horses, so I saddle up one and go for a peaceful ride around the fields and orchards. I meet for coffee and talk about interesting things with a friend. I'm 79 y/o and my wife is 71 y/o.
The idea is to give her friends and activities (walking around the mall or nursery) to while you take time for what gives you satisfaction.
I feel refreshed and ready to be my wife's companion and friend. Also, I feel good about myself.
Having people come to be with her offers the distraction needed for you to leave. I hope that you try doing something like this and that it works. Wishing you success.

Hi @lanieg, I was thinking along the lines of what @victorkach suggested. Can you arrange for a friend to visit your wife when you go out?
Constant severe pain can also eat away at someone. Is there anything that can ease her pain? Is Pain Management available where you are?

Our go to fix everything event is walking the dog. No matter how bad she gets, "lets go walk the dog" snaps her right out of whatever she is going through. At the end of the walk the exercise was good for her attitude.

Unfortunately we don't have a dog and she can't walk anymore. In response to Teri, she has been to numerous pain management docs but they have tried "every " med available to them as well as suggested medical marijuana. Nothing works for her.
Thank you all for your ideas and support. I will continue to try to get her involved with friends and try to get out on my own more. Peace and Blessings