The holidays can be among the most hectic of seasons for
anyone, but those who care for seniors face special stress. "Many families
expect things to be exactly the way they were when their parents were
younger," said Donna Washburn, eldercare specialist with Answers4Families,
a Website co-sponsored by the Nebraska Health and Human Services System, and by
the Center on Children, Families, and the Law at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln.
"It won't work for caregivers trying to get all that
done for their own family as well as others," Washburn said. "That's
why they should consider revamping their plans, which could mean something as
simple as asking someone else to cook the turkey or making the bread in
advance."
Caregivers who feel they don't have time for themselves
should learn how to take five-minute "vacations" by stepping outside
and taking a deep breath of air. For example, Washburn said, "I knew one
caregiver who would go out to listen to the radio or watch TV for five or 10
minutes while their loved one was sleeping."
Following are other holiday tips for busy family
caregivers:
·
Simplify food items and preparation - such as
starting holiday breads from frozen dough, and baking and freezing pies and
cookies in advance.
·
Do what you can in advance, such as writing
cards, shopping and wrapping gifts.
·
Include as many people as possible in the
decorating, food planning, cleaning, baking and shopping preparations.
·
Pledge not to be drawn into squabbles with family
members.
·
Get plenty of rest and spend time doing things
you enjoy, even if that means just stopping by a special place for a few
moments.
There can be serious consequences for family caregivers
who don't take care of themselves. "Caregivers' health can sometimes take
a back seat to caring for their loved ones," Washburn said. "We see
caregivers crash and burn and become ill, and we've lost caregivers to death
before the person they are caring for dies." Signs of caregiver stress can
be both physical and emotional and include disturbed sleep, headaches, weight
fluctuation, fatigue, anxiety and mood swings. To gauge their level of stress,
family care givers should log on to www.caregiverstress.com
to complete the 20-question stress-assessment survey. Developed by the Home
Instead Senior Care advisory board - a group of leading senior care and
caregiver-stress expects - this online tool also can help determine what
support caregivers may need for themselves - including advice, tips and
resources.
For the CAREGiver on Your List
Looking for something appropriate for the family
caregiver on your holiday shopping list? Consider the following ideas from
Answers4Families and Home Instead Senior Care:
·
Hugs, Hugs, Hugs
·
Shopping Spree
·
Tickets to a show
·
Gift certificates to a spa, restaurant, clothing
store or movie theater.
·
A walk in the park or other recreational
activity
·
Selection of cards and stamped envelopes
·
Fishbowl full of favor coupons to draw from
(wash car, vacuum, grocery shop, do laundry, etc.)
·
Respite care from Home Instead Senior Care
For more information about Home Instead Senior Care, log
on to www.homeinstead.com. To visit the
Answers4Families Web site, go to www.Answers4Families.org.
