How to Balance Home Care and the Holidays
With so much to do at the end of the year, it can be a challenge to set aside quality time for yourself and your aging loved ones. Learning how to balance home care and your own needs can present a challenge, but it’s all about the support network you establish that makes a difference. The same expectations you have for your senior in asking for help also extend to you.
You're not alone if you’re struggling with home care and the holidays this year. Read on to learn more about how you can tackle this holiday season differently. Take the upcoming holidays at your aging loved one’s pace and be intentional about how you celebrate your time together. You can also lean on Visiting Angels Matawan to increase your support system and make this holiday season one to remember.
7 Ways to Balance Home Care and the Holidays
As we turn the page to the next chapter, consider writing down some New Year’s resolutions for seniors in your life. Maximize every minute you have together to achieve the goals you’ve dreamed of most. In the meantime, here are ways you can balance home care and the holidays.
1. Facilitate Old Traditions and Share New Ones
Many families approach the last few months of the year with age-old traditions. If your family cherishes certain traditions or you want to introduce a new one, take the time to discuss how you’ll approach them with your family members. Activities that remind us of the past can also connect us to future generations.
2. Use Video Technology to Gather Virtually
There are many seniors embracing technology to communicate, from Facetime to Zoom videos. Hearing your loved one’s voice and seeing their face can help bridge the miles between you. If you can’t be physically together for the holidays, take advantage of technology to maintain a sense of connection.
3. Simplify Your Celebrations
Between cooking meals, shopping for gifts, and participating in all the events the holiday season has to offer, your schedule can have you running around like crazy. Instead of pushing the envelope this year, simplify your plans to focus on what means the most.
4. Connect With Your Local Community
Social connections can reduce the risk of isolation in seniors, so connecting with the community plays a significant role in how cheerfully your aging loved one approaches the holidays. Consider joining local events or attending holiday parades or productions.
5. Share Meals and Recipes
It’s written somewhere in a kitchen that food is love. Share your favorite creations with your seniors this year and ask them to teach you how to make their most beloved dishes. Reminisce along the way as you feed your belly and your soul.
6. Reminisce With Your Favorite Music, Including the Classics
Music has a way of bringing almost anyone together. Break out the CD or cassette player, or queue up your playlist as you bond this holiday season.
7. Help Decorate a Safe Environment
With every candy cane outdoor light that illuminates your path from the driveway to the front door, add a nightlight inside to guide your aging loved one in the dark. Hop on the ladder to hang decorations and remove clutter to allow for a clear pathway.
Add Visiting Angels Matawan to Your Holiday Support Network
Enjoying quality sleep and practicing mindfulness can help you approach the holidays with a clear mind and open spirit. When you can’t manage your stress, reach out to your Matawan community, including Visiting Angels. Our caregivers offer respite care to relieve you from holiday duty. Call us at 732-671-2899 or contact us to learn more about our senior home care services.