Managing Holiday Stress With Elder Home Care in Opelika, AL
It is not unusual for seniors to become firmly rooted in their routines as they grow older, and any changes to their routine can lead to confusion and in time extreme anxiety.
During the holidays many Americans spend time on the highways and byways dashing through the snow on the way to spend time with their elderly grandparents. For most, this is a time of joy and togetherness, but for many seniors, our elder home care team has found that it is one of the most stressful times of the year.
The problem is that many seniors find themselves fully ensconced in their routines to the point where the slightest change can lead to confusion and stress. There are times when simply having a houseful of family for one day can be exhausting for both seniors and their caregivers. Here are a few things you can try to help cut down on the stress and make the holidays more enjoyable.
Give us a call at (334) 749-8461 to learn more!
Share the Meal Preparation
For grandma, the idea of being responsible for preparing a huge family meal can be extremely stressful and become something they dread. One way to eliminate this stress is to arrange to have everyone bring a dish so that no one person is responsible for the whole meal. At the same time, be sure to assign everyone a cleanup task, so the senior doesn't end having to do it all.
Nap Time
From the little ones to grandma and grandpa, there is going to come a time when exhaustion starts to take over. This is a good time to put the "littles" down for a nap or take everyone out so that grandma and grandpa can take one.
Minimize Gift Giving
Most seniors live on a fixed income and worry that they might not have enough money to buy everyone a gift. One good way around this is to have grandma pull a name out of the hat each year to see who they will be buying a gift for. Alternatively, you could eschew gifts in favor of exchanging memories and creating new ones.
Watch Your Elderly Loved Ones
This is a good time to keep an eye on your loved ones, they might become overtired, need something to do, or be feeling overwhelmed. Keep an eye on them or have an elder home care provider assigned to the job to make sure their needs are met.
Get Help When You Need It
Being the primary family caregiver can be exhausting and leave stressed, with our respite care we can provide you with a caregiver who can help with chores, meals, caring for your loved one, and even helping with your holiday preparations. Having this kind of help can help everyone look forward to the holidays.
Be sure you let those who will be coming of any limitations or any specific needs grandma or grandpa might have. It's the little things that can make your holidays and keep them stress-free for everyone. If you’d like to learn more about holiday stress management or about our elder home care options, you can contact us online anytime or give us a call at (334) 749-8461.
