Family on Holidays: Caregiving Tools and Simple Tips

Caregiving Tools for the Holidays and Simple Tips for Families

We know the joys and the challenges of the holiday season, especially for families managing caregiving responsibilities. That’s why we’re teaming up with Naborforce to share practical tools, tips and support to make this season a little easier. Together, we’re helping families put what matters most first—connection, celebration and memories.

Including friends and chosen family members in your holiday plans can enhance emotional support and joy, creating meaningful connections beyond biological relatives.

For adult children juggling their own lives while caring for aging parents, the holidays can feel overwhelming. But with the right tools, a collaborative approach and some planning, you can reduce stress and have a great season.

Here’s our guide to caregiving and shared expenses during the holidays.

1. Building a Holiday Caregiving Plan

Start the season with a family meeting to discuss caregiving needs and holiday plans. This helps ensure everyone is on the same page and can anticipate challenges. Additionally, planning for holiday gatherings and ensuring healthy interactions by setting boundaries and delegating tasks can prevent stress and foster a positive environment. Here’s how to create a plan:

• Assess Needs: Determine your loved one’s medical, mobility, and social needs for the season. Will they need extra help attending gatherings or getting to appointments?
• Delegate Tasks: Assign specific roles to family members, such as transportation, meal preparation, or decoration setup. Sharing responsibilities reduces the burden on primary caregivers.
• Set Boundaries: Decide what activities and traditions are realistic to maintain without overloading yourself or your loved one.

By being proactive, you can minimize surprises and enjoy a smoother holiday season.

2. Understanding Family Dynamics

Understanding family dynamics is crucial for navigating the holiday season with ease. Family dynamics refer to the patterns of interaction and relationships within a family, influenced by cultural background, upbringing, and personal experiences. Recognizing these dynamics within your own family can help you anticipate potential challenges and develop strategies for managing them.

For instance, if you have a family member who tends to dominate conversations, you can prepare by setting boundaries and encouraging others to contribute. Similarly, if a family member struggles with mental health issues, offering support and resources can help them cope with holiday stress.

By understanding your family’s dynamics, you can create a more harmonious and enjoyable holiday experience for everyone involved. This awareness allows you to navigate interactions more smoothly, ensuring that all family members feel valued and included.

3. Setting Realistic Expectations

Setting realistic expectations is essential for managing holiday stress and avoiding disappointment. It’s unrealistic to expect that every family gathering will be perfect or that every family member will get along seamlessly. Instead, focus on creating a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Start by identifying your priorities and what you hope to achieve during the holiday season. Be realistic about what you can accomplish and what you can’t. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or others to create a perfect holiday experience. Remember, the holiday season is a time for connection, love, and celebration. Focus on the things that bring you joy and make the most of the time you spend with your loved ones.

4. Leveraging Technology and Caregiving Tools

Modern technology offers powerful tools to simplify caregiving. Here are some services designed to lighten the load:

• Naborforce: The perfect way to get just a little bit of help when you need it. Naborforce can help your older parents with everyday tasks like grocery shopping, transportation, or simply keeping them company. Does your parent keep asking you to drive them around? Naborforce is here to help!
• CareCheckers: For the older parent who could use regular check-ins, Care Checkers provides friendly phone calls to ensure they’re safe, supported, and never feeling alone.
• Medical Alert Systems: If you can’t make it to see your older parents but want to make sure they’re staying safe, there are a number of wearables and smart cameras that can trigger alerts in case of a fall. 

Looking for more tech ideas for seniors? Read Naborforce’s blog here! 

5. Managing Shared Expenses with Ease

Caring for an aging parent often involves shared costs for medical bills, home care, groceries, and other essentials. The holidays may also bring extra expenses, from special meals to transportation for family gatherings. Financial planning is crucial to spend holidays without stress, balancing personal preferences and societal expectations. Here’s how to keep financial stress in check:

• SupportPay helps families navigate the financial side of caregiving. Our platform that not only splits, tracks, and manages shared caregiving expenses. It keeps everything in one place, making it not only stress free, but keeping it easy, and transparent so no one is left wondering. Especially during the holidays when expenses can add up fast.

So, how can you get started with caregiving tools? Here’s an example of a family who uses SupportPay to stay on track and reduce stress:

1. Created a Holiday Budget.
2. Used SupportPay to create a caregiving budget for the season. So everyone is on the same page, and no one overspends.
3. Automated Payment Reminders.
4. Scheduled shared expenses so no one has to bring up unpaid bills at the dinner table.
5. Tracked Gift Contributions.
6. Pooled funds through the app and make sure every contribution is accounted for.

A SupportPay Success Story

Nicole from Oregon says:

“This is the best way to track everything when the other parent won’t participate in child support. Everything is documented and in one place so you can reference it for court or whenever you need it! Thanks, SupportPay!”

While Nicole’s story shows how the platform works for child support situations, the same tracking and transparency benefits caregiving families during the holidays, so financial management is simple.

The holidays should be about connection and fun, not financial stress. With financial tools like SupportPay, families can focus on what really matters—time together.

6. Including Your Aging Parent in Family Gatherings

Involving your loved one in holiday traditions fosters connection and keeps them engaged. Here are ways to adapt activities for their comfort:

• Simplify Gatherings: Host smaller, quieter celebrations if large gatherings feel overwhelming for your parent/parents.
• Virtual Participation: Use platforms like Zoom to connect with extended family if your parent/parents can’t travel.
• Inclusive Activities: Engage them in simple tasks, such as decorating cookies, sharing family stories, or creating a holiday playlist.

Christmas Eve holds special significance in creating unique traditions and balancing family celebrations. Consider hosting events or splitting festivities between families to ensure everyone feels connected.

A little creativity ensures they feel included and valued without exhausting their energy—or yours.

7. Communicating Effectively with Family Members

Effective communication is key to navigating family dynamics during the holiday season. When communicating with family members, it’s essential to be clear, respectful, and empathetic.

Start by setting clear boundaries and expectations. Let your family members know what you are and aren’t comfortable with, and be open to hearing their concerns and needs. Use “I” statements to express your feelings and avoid blaming or accusing others. For example, instead of saying “You always do this,” say “I feel frustrated when this happens.”

Practice active listening by paying attention to what others are saying and showing that you care about their feelings and concerns. By communicating effectively, you can avoid misunderstandings and conflicts, creating a more positive and enjoyable holiday experience for everyone involved.

8. Creating a Support Network

Caregiving shouldn’t fall on one person’s shoulders. Building a network of support can make the holidays more enjoyable for everyone:

• Extended Family: Encourage siblings, cousins, or other relatives to contribute time or resources. Even small contributions, like picking up groceries or visiting with your parent, can make a difference.
• In-Laws: Balancing time and support between your own family and in-laws during the holidays is crucial. Effective communication, compromise, and kindness can help alleviate potential tensions.
• Community Resources: Look into local senior centers, holiday respite programs, or volunteer services that offer help during the holidays.
• Professional Help: Don’t hesitate to enlist professional caregivers for additional support. Many services, like Naborforce, specialize in providing temporary assistance tailored to family needs.

Caregiving is a team effort, and leaning on others lightens the load.

9. Celebrating Interfaith Occasions

Celebrating interfaith occasions can be a wonderful way to bring people together and create a sense of community and connection. If you have family members from different religious backgrounds, consider finding ways to incorporate their traditions and customs into your holiday celebrations.

For example, if you have a family member who celebrates Hanukkah, consider hosting a Hanukkah dinner or exchanging gifts during the holiday. Similarly, if you have a family member who celebrates Christmas, consider attending a church service or exchanging gifts on Christmas Day.

By celebrating interfaith occasions, you can create a more inclusive and welcoming holiday experience for everyone involved. Remember to be respectful of different traditions and customs, and focus on the things that bring you together rather than the things that divide you.

10. Prioritizing Caregiving Tools and Mental Health Self-Care

Did you know that there are tools out there that help the caregivers themselves? Websites like Careforth and Helpful offer resources for caregivers, from help with paperwork to mental health advocacy. As always, don’t forget to prioritize yourself first, because you can’t pour from an empty cup! The healthier you are, the more you are able to give back. Taking a deep breath can help manage stress and emotional responses during caregiving.

• Schedule Downtime: Block out time for activities that recharge you, whether it’s reading, meditating, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea. Remember that there is peace in the little moments.
• Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to lean on your support network or use caregiving services to take a break.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Let go of perfection. It’s okay if everything isn’t picture-perfect; what matters is the time spent together.

When you care for yourself, you’re better equipped to care for others.

11. Staying Flexible with Caregiving Tools

The holidays rarely go exactly as planned, especially when caregiving is involved. Whether it’s a last-minute change in your parent’s health or unexpected travel delays, staying flexible can save the day. During a holiday gathering, it’s important to stay adaptable and adjust plans as needed to manage the emotional dynamics and potential stress.

• Backup Plans: Have contingency plans for caregiving tasks and holiday logistics. For example, if a family member can’t provide transportation, you can take advantage of caregiving tools focused on ride service, Naborforce.
• Adapt Traditions: Focus on what matters most and let go of less essential traditions if needed.

Flexibility helps you embrace the season’s imperfections and focus on its joys.

12. Reflecting on the Joy of Caregiving and How to Set Boundaries

While caregiving can be challenging, it’s also an opportunity to deepen your bond with your family. The holidays provide a chance to create lasting memories, whether it’s through shared laughter, reminiscing over photo albums, or simply enjoying a meal together. Spending time with loved ones during the holiday season is essential for creating these cherished moments and enjoying the festivities.

By simplifying caregiving and using available tools, you can approach the season with a sense of calm and connection. Remember, the greatest gift you can give your loved one—and yourself—is the gift of presence.