Helping an Elderly Loved One Stay in Good Health: Advice

Posted on: 12 November 2019

Caring for an elderly relative can be time-consuming and stressful even during the more low-key times of the year. Once the winter holidays start creeping up, you may find yourself wondering how to juggle all of your holiday preparations while continuing to make sure your loved one gets the care and attention they need.

Change Your Expectations

There's a lot of pressure to make sure the holidays are picture perfect with a house full of decorations, elaborate meals, dozens of gifts, and a smiling host or hostess at the forefront. Even if you feel your family created the ideal holiday atmosphere in the past, it's much harder to handle everything when you're acting as a caregiver.

Try your best to let go of the need to be perfect and focus on what's most important — being together and creating happy memories. Take care of your family member as you normally would and only do the things you truly have time for and things your loved one can comfortably participate in when it comes to holiday preparation. 

Create New Traditions

Ask your loved one what's most important to them and make a list of priorities for specific decorations, activities, food items, and anything else that's important to your family and let the rest go. Consider it your way of making new family traditions now that your circumstance has changed and try to look at it as a fun way of discovering new ways to enjoy the holidays.

Lower Your Costs

Many caregivers take time off work or leave their jobs entirely in order to care for an elderly family member. You may have to purchase items to make accommodations for your loved one, such as raised toilet seats, bath rails, walkers, or wheelchairs. The bottom line is caring for an aging relative isn't cheap and neither are the holidays.

Don't strain your wallet trying to shower everyone with perfect gifts. A small token item or a plate of cookies is often appreciated as much as or more than an expensive gift. Your friends and family members will understand the need to focus on caring for your loved one and your own needs, so there's no need to break the bank on presents and expensive food to enjoy the holidays.

Take Time for Yourself

It's easy to neglect self-care when you're caring for someone else, and holiday preparations, activities, and gatherings can cause you to neglect yourself even more than you normally would. You'll be at your best if you're rested and calm, so if you're feeling stressed, take a nap, go for a walk to look at holiday lights, watch a silly movie, or whatever helps you reset.

Ask for or Hire Help

Enlist the help of family members and friends if you can't leave your loved one alone. Home health companies can assist your loved one with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, and preparing meals. They can also provide short-term caregivers to help your family member while you head out to finish your holiday shopping or simply take a break to relax. If you're feeling overwhelmed, consider contacting a home health company for assistance.