Post by Dawn on Nov 16, 2008 17:12:14 GMT -5
Here are some tips,some from the National Institute of Aging, for
caregivers to keep the holidays happy and less stressful:
• Use festive paper
plates and cups for easy
cleanup.
• As a caregiver, set
your own limits early and
be clear about them with
others. You do not have to
live up to expectations of
friends or relatives. Your
situation is different now.
• Suggest celebrating
with a potluck style meal
or ask someone to host
with you.
• Talk to family and
friends before they arrive
and explain your care
recipient’s current
condition if they have any
behaviors that others may
not understand. Tell them
how to approach the
situation.
• Try some simple
holiday preparation with
your care recipient a few
days in advance. This
prepares your care
recipient for the holiday
and gives you an
opportunity to spend
quality time together.
• Prepare some quiet
distractions, such as a
family photo album or a
simple, repetitive chore, to
help your care recipient if
they become upset or
over-stimulated.
• Develop a list of tasks
and responsibilities so that
when someone asks,
“What can I do to help
you?” you can respond
with a specific idea.
• Provide a quiet space
for your care recipient to
rest as noise and hectic
activity can be stressful
for them.
• Try to be flexible.
Consider celebrating over
lunch rather than an
evening meal in order to
avoid evening confusion.
caregivers to keep the holidays happy and less stressful:
• Use festive paper
plates and cups for easy
cleanup.
• As a caregiver, set
your own limits early and
be clear about them with
others. You do not have to
live up to expectations of
friends or relatives. Your
situation is different now.
• Suggest celebrating
with a potluck style meal
or ask someone to host
with you.
• Talk to family and
friends before they arrive
and explain your care
recipient’s current
condition if they have any
behaviors that others may
not understand. Tell them
how to approach the
situation.
• Try some simple
holiday preparation with
your care recipient a few
days in advance. This
prepares your care
recipient for the holiday
and gives you an
opportunity to spend
quality time together.
• Prepare some quiet
distractions, such as a
family photo album or a
simple, repetitive chore, to
help your care recipient if
they become upset or
over-stimulated.
• Develop a list of tasks
and responsibilities so that
when someone asks,
“What can I do to help
you?” you can respond
with a specific idea.
• Provide a quiet space
for your care recipient to
rest as noise and hectic
activity can be stressful
for them.
• Try to be flexible.
Consider celebrating over
lunch rather than an
evening meal in order to
avoid evening confusion.
