Including Your Aging Loved One in the Festivities
Health challenges that seniors face can make it difficult for them to participate in activities in the same way they used to. Here are a few tips for including your aging loved one in holiday activities:
- Keep your loved one on their “schedule.” Especially for seniors who are affected by cognitive decline, keeping to their normal meal times and sleep schedules as closely as possible can help them avoid confusion.
- Find ways they can help. Choosing activities like decorating cookies, making ornaments, or assembling Christmas card mailings can help seniors feel included and get into the holiday spirit. If there are meal prep or decorating tasks that they can do, let them! Remove the pressure by not expecting them to finish in a certain amount of time or complete a task perfectly.
- Review safety features in your space and in any places you travel for events. An Aging Life Care Manager® can help you review your home to catch any fall risks or safety hazards that could cause an accident. Care managers can also help you communicate with family members to make sure that their spaces are also safe for your aging loved one if you are travelling for the holidays.
- Keep in mind their sensitivities. Does social time tire them quickly? Make sure to prioritize the activities that are most important to your loved one so that you can leave if they become tired before the festivities are over. Do they become overstimulated? Find a room in the event space, whether it’s your house or a friend or family members, where your aging loved one can retreat to recharge in a quiet environment.
Avoiding Caregiver Stress
Preparing for the holidays adds a lot of extra tasks to a family caregiver’s already busy schedule. Here are a few tips for relieving caregiver stress over the holidays:
- Manage your expectations. If certain traditions seem overwhelming or too stressful, don’t force yourself to meet others’ expectations. Remind yourself that the holidays don’t need to look the same as in past years.
- Simplify activities. Replace old traditions with simpler versions and find shortcuts to make holiday preparations easier. Buy premade food or ask visiting family members to bring dishes and make the holidays potluck-style. Scale back on decorations this year and don’t feel the need to compete with the neighbors.
- Keep clear communication. Talk with family members about expectations, what you will and won’t be able to participate in this year, and what areas you need help in.
- Work with an Aging Life Care Manager®. Care managers can take stress off your plate as a caregiver. Through expert guidance and care coordination, we can help you spend your holidays with your aging loved one stress-free.
Learn more about senior care:
A Guide for Each Step of the Way: What an Aging Life Care Manager® Brings to the Table