Tips for Making the Most of the 2021 Holiday Season

The holidays are typically a joyous time, and, despite the ongoing threat of a pandemic, many people continue to look forward to seeing families and engaging in some end-of-the-year fun. If you are a caregiver, however, the holidays can also be stressful as you prepare to see the family and make plans on top of your daily duties. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this holiday season as a caregiver:

Create a Safe Space

Seniors are vulnerable to infections, including COVID, so make sure that you are creating a safe environment for them this holiday season. This might mean having a smaller family gathering or asking everyone to ensure that they are vaccinated. Speak to your family members and your doctor about your concerns and create a plan as early as possible.

Delegate

Ask family members to take over duties that seem too overwhelming or complex. This might mean enlisting someone to plan the holiday dinner or someone to help decorate the home. If your immediate family cannot help, consider asking extended family or even friends to step in. You can decide who to ask for help, and when, depending on the task at hand.  

Prepare Your Relatives

If you are caring for someone with a deteriorating mental condition, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, make sure that your family members know what to expect. While adults may already be aware of the situation, consider the younger members of your family and work together with other family members to prepare them for the chance that their senior relative might get confused and may not recognize them right away.

Simplify

There is no rule saying that holidays require elaborate gatherings and complex to-do lists. If you need to knock something off your list because it seems unimportant and will take up your time, consider doing just that! Having simpler, smaller events can also be easier, and safer, for seniors compared to large family gatherings or multiple complex get-togethers.

Keep Communication Open

Ask your senior loved one what makes them feel comfortable. See which activities they want to keep and which ones they’d rather skip. If something feels important to them, try to put in the effort, or enlist the help of family members, to keep that tradition or event in your plans.

Have a Backup Plan

Sometimes things do not turn out exactly as we plan them, and this is where having a contingency plan, or several, can be very helpful. Consider what might go wrong this holiday season and figure out how you would deal with this situation ahead of time.  

This can be as simple as asking a friend to bring a backup batch of Christmas cookies, or more complex, like asking a family member to step into the caregiving role if you have a personal emergency.

At Allure Home Care, we are dedicated to providing quality patient care for individuals in the comfort of their own home. If you are a caregiver in New York City this holiday season, call us today for more information on how we can help!