Family caregivers reduce your stress at holiday time

For Family Caregivers – Tips For Reducing Holiday Stress

We all know that Holidays can be a very stressful time just living an ordinary family life. There is much confusion with the hustle and bustle of preparing for extra company, fixing special meals and playing the host while trying to also enjoy the whole experience ourselves. For the family caregiver, this time can add a whole new set of stresses to an already stressful situation.

Maintain familiarity. One of the most important points to remember as a family caregiver in this situation is to try to maintain a sense of familiarity for the one you are caring for. Confusion and unfamiliar changes often alter our mood. Imagine then, what it can do to someone with memory problems, physical impairment, or other handicaps.

Try to include your loved one in holiday preparations. Focus on their strengths, and let them use their own capabilities to help with small tasks. With so much to be cleaned, wrapped, decorated and cooked during the holidays, there are numerous tasks that seniors will find simple and rewarding.

Minimize clutter. Decorating is a fun and traditional part of the holidays. This year, try to reduce the confusion and hazards that often accompany holiday decorations. Whatever the holiday you are celebrating, gift giving is an inevitable part of the festivities. You might want to consider placing only a few gifts out directly to avoid creating a hazard to the one you are caring for. Extra cords and flashing lights around the house may also prove to be an obstacle.

Be mindful and safe. With all of the extra decorating comes the use of additional electrical cords; be sure to secure all extra cords so that they are not a hazard. Try to run them along the outside walls where they are not so visible to the eye. Another good idea is to try to maintain the same furniture floor pattern. For someone who may have poor eyesight, moving the furniture around may lead to more confusion and agitation.

Try to schedule the major activities early in the day. We know that as the day wears on we all tend to become tired under normal conditions. For seniors who tire easily and find new situations confusing, the stress and agitation increases as the day goes on. Try to do major activities during the day, remembering to leave time in-between activities to avoid the stress of rushing, to keep everyone happy and stress-free.

Always try to make your senior loved one feel secure and protected. As much as possible keep your loved one on their regular routine. Just a slight change in routine can cause increased confusion and stress. Your holiday plans will flow a lot smoother if every one is aware of your loved ones needs and limitations. With guests in and out of the house, be sure that someone is aware at all times of where they are.

Finally, be sure to fit some time in for yourself this holiday season. Take a few minutes sometime during the day to pamper yourself. Do not be afraid to let family know that a little quiet time for you could be a gift beyond measure. Something this simple will refresh you and help you to enjoy the holidays more. For more information, go to www.comfortkeepers.com

Holiday Activities to do with your elderly loved one

Holiday Activity Ideas

During the holidays, seniors often experience feelings of isolation and loneliness, so it is important to keep them active and involved. Try to include your loved ones in the family holiday preparations and activities.

1. Cook a favorite meal together. Prepare a dish the senior loved as a child or once prepared as a holiday tradition. Involving the senior in the process, instead of making it for them, allows the senior to feel helpful and needed.
2. Make a family cookbook. Either organize recipes the senior has stashed away or hunt down some of their favorites from family members. This can also help you prepare dishes they will enjoy and be comforted by.
3. Set up a Christmas tree or Menorah. Decorations add so much to the holiday season. Help your loved one feel at home during the holidays by setting up their Christmas tree or Menorah with them. Again, having them help you put ornaments on the tree or plugging in the lights can make the senior feel helpful and involved.
4. Drive to see the beautiful holiday lights. Taking a senior loved one – especially a senior who can no longer drive – on a drive through town can be a delightful experience.
5. Watch old family movies together.
6. Play a favorite board game. It is important to get seniors minds engaged by playing games or doing puzzles. Interaction is important for seniors, especially during the busy holidays.
7. Take a walk down memory lane. Holidays bring back memories, and seniors often find great joy in having someone show interest in them and their past. Whether it’s looking through photo albums or just sharing stories, you can help the senior in your life feel loved and involved with this stroll down memory lane.
8. Address holiday cards. Sending holiday cards is a wonderful way to keep in touch with family and friends. Holiday cards are a simple and thoughtful gesture that can help seniors to stay in contact with people they might not otherwise keep up with.
9. Sing carols with friends and neighbors. During the upcoming season, encourage the senior in your life to get together with friends, family or neighbors and sing holiday carols. Carols can be enjoyed anywhere, in your neighborhood, a downtown center, or even a living room gathering.
10. Bake holiday treats. The holidays are filled with wonderful traditions, especially traditions that can be tasted. Most seniors have holiday favorites from when they were kids or from family reunions. Find the seniors favorite recipe and help bring some holiday cheer to their home and heart.

If you live far away from your loved one and cannot be with them for the full holiday season, try encouraging them to join a senior group in their area. Long, cold winters and holiday seasons often bring depression and isolation, so it is important that seniors feel connected and active. To see more, go to www.comfortkeepers.com.