Caregiver Survival During the Holidays

The holidays can be a delightful time of year. They can also be filled with anxiety.

Holidays often add stress, especially if you are a caregiver who is already feeling pulled in too many directions. The pressure of trying to make the perfect holiday can be immense, and quite frankly, who has a perfect princess Hallmark channel holiday? Families coming together are not always the happiest of situations.

Here are five simple tips to make the holidays better for you, your loved one and your family.

Simplify

When it comes to decorations, choose a few items that are most significant, have meaning for you and your loved ones. You might ask a friend to help decorate.

Keep Meals Simple

Purchase all or part of meals at a local grocery store or restaurant — either fully cooked or ready for you to cook at home. If you prefer home cooked, share the cooking with other family members.

Reduce the number of holiday activities

Limit your time away from home to match the comfort level of your loved one. Choose which events to attend based on which would be the simplest, least exhausting and most enjoyable for the person you care for — and for you.

Visiting Family

You may need to prepare family members in advance for any changes or decline in your loved one’s physical or mental status. This will save many unnecessary “well meaning” discussions on the care you are providing. (Siblings and other family members tend to swoop in and have definite opinions when they may not have been involved.)

Focus On Holiday Meaning

When spending time with your loved ones, focus on celebrating the meaning of the holiday you observe. This is what really matters, and what you will remember in the future.

Caregiver Gifts

Do you exchange gifts? Let’s face it, most of us don’t really need more stuff. As a matter of fact, I hear so many of you saying the stuff just adds more stress!

This year, try something different. Create your own “Wish List” of gifts that you need. Here are some ideas that have come to my mind after listening to the needs of caregivers.

Coupon for Respite

How about creating a coupon booklet offering to stay with your loved one so you can get away?

Offers to provide care, transportation, run errands, buy groceries, etc. can be added. If your family can’t do this, suggest they purchase a few hours of care from a home care agency or assisted living facility. Many assisted living facilities offer short term respite care.

House Cleaning Service

A gift certificate for a house cleaning service is a great gift.

Coupon for a Spa Day: A little pampering can go a long way to ease caregiver stress. A massage is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Go ahead, ask for these special gifts from your friends and loved ones! You will be glad you did.

I hope all of you will think about how to best care for yourselves during this frantic season. The ideas above should help with that.