Welcome to our blog where we are celebrating National Family Caregiver Month! This is a topic near and dear to our hearts, as we work with phenomenal family caregivers every single day. We want to shine a light on all that they do for our clients, especially this time of year. The holidays are a busy time for everyone, but especially when you are taking care of a loved one. Here are some things to keep in mind that might make your holiday season a little easier.
You Do Not Have to Do Everything
Read that to yourself, write it on a sticky note, and remind yourself of this multiple times over the next few months. You, individually, are as responsible for yourself and your own mental health as you are responsible for celebrating the holidays. You have numerous resources at your disposal, including professional caregivers, but not limited to that. Many grocery stores offer a pre-made Thanksgiving meal option so you don’t have to do all the cooking. And if you have family coming in, please let them know that you are caring for your loved one and delegate some responsibilities. A lot of people grew watching one female relative do all the cooking, cleaning, and hosting for the holidays but it’s 2024, that much work does not have to be on one person. You can even delegate the job of delegating someone else, give them a list of tasks and have them assign people. An example of this might be:
- Making dessert
- Cleaning the kitchen the night before
- Setting the table and making/bringing the decorations
Sometimes Traditions Change
If there is a tradition that an older adult can no longer participate in, it is totally understandable to modify that tradition so they can participate. And sometimes, we may get rid of traditions all together that we can no longer participate in. Be flexible and give yourself grace.
Lean on the People Around You
The holidays are all about celebrating your support system. Lean on them and let them help you, And see if they’re doing any activities that you can join throughout the holiday season, like a cookie swap, to get you more involved in the community while having something fun to do.
Happy holidays, everyone!
