The holiday season offers many long-awaited experiences, from spending time with family and friends to enjoying favorite holiday meals. However, if you provide eldercare for a loved one, you may wonder how the holidays will affect your typical routine, especially this year.
Most of us experience some shake-up in our routines around the holidays, but these changes are often more acutely felt by seniors. We have outlined some tips below to help make caring for a senior living at home more comfortable on everyone involved during the holidays.
Make a Senior Care Plan for the Holidays
Being prepared for the holidays will make your job as a family caregiver easier to manage. It will also ensure your loved one stays comfortable and content through what is often a chaotic season. Here are just a few of the ways you can prepare:
- Healthy Eating Between Holiday Meals
Indulging in delicious dishes is one of the most sacred holiday traditions. Not only do these nostalgic flavors bring back wonderful memories, but they also bring the family together in a shared experience that shouldn’t be denied to seniors.
It’s essential to keep an eye on balance throughout the holidays. Holiday meals are special occasions to look forward to, not to stretch out for days on end. In between those rich holiday meals, make sure your loved one has something light and nutritious within reach. They’ll feel better physically and will also have an easier time sticking to their doctor’s dietary guidelines.
- Exercise
The cooler winter months often lead us toward a more sedentary lifestyle, even as our calorie intake increases thanks to the holidays. While it’s normal to want to spend more cozy time indoors as the weather cools off, less movement can make us feel more sluggish. It can also trigger a spell of the holiday blues.
Ensure your loved one benefits from exercise by making fun physical activities part of their holiday experience. For example, you could have the whole family bundle up and go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood after each family meal. Or, you can help your loved one get in the holiday spirit by doing a few laps around the mall while window shopping. Spending time in nature and watching the leaves change colors is also a great way to enjoy being active.
- Gift-Related Financial Stress
Many seniors love to dote on their children and grandchildren with holiday gifts. Unfortunately, those on a fixed income often feel the financial strain as they struggle with the desire to be generous within their limited means. To minimize stress for all the members of your family, including seniors, suggest opting for a “Secret Santa” or “white elephant” gift exchange so everyone can experience the joy of giving without going over budget. - Fall Prevention at Family Members’ Homes
The last thing you want is for your loved one’s holiday joy to be marred by a dangerous fall. If they visit other family members this season, take time to make the home both safe and accessible to prevent your senior from falling. This could include removing rugs that present a fall hazard and installing nightlights if the senior stays overnight. - Time Off for Yourself
The holidays can be a stressful, chaotic time, especially for those who are frequently on the go. As a family caregiver, it’s crucial to remain aware of your stress levels and take time off from your caregiving duties as needed.
One of the best ways to make your health and well-being a priority during this busy season is to get respite care service from a professional elder care provider. Being proactive about meeting your own self-care needs will make this time of year much more enjoyable and give you the energy required to provide the quality of care your loved one deserves.
Visiting Angels Provides Safe, High-Quality Care the Elderly Deserve
Visiting Angels’ priority remains the health and safety of its caregivers and the clients they serve every day. As an award-winning home care agency in Greater Boston, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton follows and adheres to the latest health and safety guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite the challenges associated with COVID-19, in-home caregivers fulfill Visiting Angels’ mission of partnering with families to provide essential at-home care for older adults.
Visiting Angels’ in-home caregivers continue to be homecare heroes on the frontlines, taking necessary steps to protect elderly loved ones and themselves by doing whatever it takes to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local
home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to the elderly
and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our in-home
dementia care, Alzheimer's care, respite care, live-in
and 24-hour care, companion care, transitional aid, and in-home
care services in Brookline, as well as Boston neighborhoods
including Canton, Dedham, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Stoughton,
Watertown, Wellesley, Westwood, and neighboring communities. The essential
personal care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, can make a significant
impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life.
