The Holidays tend to be a stressful season for most people, and are often times even more stressful for caregivers. Holiday visits can be a great time to check-up on your loved one and have a positive impact on their care.

One important task is to look out for warning signs that elderly family members may need more help taking care of themselves on a day-to-day basis. Physically, weight loss and a lack of personal hygiene are both signs that a family member may need increased care. It is also beneficial to look out for signs of forgetfulness, such as leaving unopened mail on the kitchen counter or forgetting to refill prescriptions.

If an elderly family member has stopped doing things they previously enjoyed, such as eating lunch with friends or going on a weekly bowling outing, there may be some physical or psychological reason for that change.

If a concern is identified, you can then work with other family members to come up with some solution.

There are several concrete things you can do that will help make Holiday visits as productive as possible. First, make sure your loved one has an emergency card in their wallet with emergency contacts, physicians’ numbers, blood type and medication regimen. If something were to happen, he or she would then be able to receive more thorough care without delay. On a similar note, if there are any scheduled doctors appointments, be sure to attend. This is a great chance to ask the doctor any questions and tell him about any observations you have made. Before you leave, be sure that your loved one has adequate food and toiletries stored at home. If not, you can accompany them on a shopping run.

Finally, it is also important for the caregiver to take some time to de-stress, so you can get the most of your holiday visit. Getting enough sleep and eating well can be very helpful, as this will enable you to feel energized when you need it most. Try not to take on too many responsibilities yourself. Another friend or family member is probably willing to help you get things done, or at least provide emotional support. Having reasonable expectations can also lead to reduced stress levels. In most cases, one visit during the Holidays is not going to be sufficient to completely change the way someone is living, although that one visit can be used to make valuable progress.

As long as you are aware of the care-receiver’s behavior, have a plan, and commit yourself to having reasonable expectations, there is no reason why you can’t make the most the most of your Holiday visit. This is the perfect opportunity to both have a good time and get some productive work done in ensuring your loved one’s well-being.

Caregiving Over The Holidays Podcast

Caregiving Over The Holidays  Video HD