Caregivers & the Holiday "Blues"...I hope these can bring a little cheer : )

Supporting Caregivers Through the Holidays

Caregiving can be particularly isolating for the entire family, particularly when one of the members has Alzheimer’s Disease. Families are often forced to give up social activities as caring becomes more demanding. The awareness of this loss may become more painful during the holidays, when caregivers must miss traditional holiday gatherings. Family and friends can help create a meaningful holiday by keeping the following suggestions in mind when they visit the memory impaired person and their caregiver.

• Call ahead and ask when is a good time to visit. Be flexible.
• Visits should be short and quiet. Too many changes in routine can be upsetting.
• Some behaviors, while they may shock you, may offer an opportunity for the caregiver to explain or express frustration or grief over the change in a loved one.
• Offer help with baking, errands, shopping, decorating. Make it seem like an easy part of your routine and the caregiver may be more likely to accept. "I have to stop at the store anyway, so it would be easy for me to pick something up for you."
• Your greatest gift is your presence. Don’t feel like you must entertain or be entertained.
• Encourage the care-receiver to talk about past memories, if they are able.
• Avoid talking about your personal problems or depressing topics.
• Arrange time to be with the care receiver and allow the caregiver time to get away.
• If you can’t visit during the holidays, send a note or make a phone call. Make sure they know that neither the caregiver nor the care-receiver are forgotten.
• Continue to stay in touch and visit throughout the year.

Adapted from an article by Edna L. Ballard, Duke Family Support Program
Provided by the NC Family Caregiver Support Program





Keeping the Holidays Enjoyable: Tips for Family Caregivers

• Ask for and accept help from family and friends.
• Don’t be afraid to say "NO!"
• Re-evaluate old traditions and family rituals. Do you really want to keep
observing them? Perhaps you can adapt them to your family’s current
needs. Will they be meaningful to the person you are caring for?
• Remember to take care of yourself with good nutrition, exercise, and rest.
• Helping loved ones explore the past can help validate the contributions they
have made throughout their lives. Old photo albums may be a way to
engage them.
• Try to stick to the normal routine as much as possible.
• Delegate tasks. Don’t try to do it all yourself.
• Involve your loved one as much as possible in the preparation, even if it
means simplifying some of your plans.
• Recognize that the holidays may be a difficult time. Set realistic
expectations.
• Stop feeling guilty about the things you cannot change.

Provided by the NC Family Caregiver Support Program



To Make Holiday Time Easier, Think……N.O.E.L.

Note the effect of the environment and
activities on your loved one.

Observe normal routine. To decrease
anxiety and agitation in your loved
one during the holidays, keep his/her
routine as normal as possible.

Expect changes in the way you
celebrate the holidays with your
loved one. Capitalize on skills
and activities that are still enjoyable
to him/her.

Limit the expectations you place
on yourself. If old traditions don’t
work, start new ones.

Tips from Duke Family Support Program provided by NC Family Caregiver Support Program