The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, togetherness and celebration. But for many families, especially those with aging parents, it can be a time of stress and uncertainty. As we want to bring joy to our loved ones, we also face the reality of their changing needs and the emotional and logistical challenges of caregiving. Whether your elderly family members are in their later years or managing a chronic condition, you can create a holiday environment that brings them joy – and makes caregiving a little easier – with a bit of thought and care.
In this post, we’ll share tips, resources, and ideas on how to make the holidays brighter for your aging loved ones and simplify caregiving. We want to ensure they feel seen and included and reduce the stress and overwhelm that can come with the season.
Preparing for the Holiday Season
The holiday season can be a challenging time for family caregivers, especially when caring for elderly parents. With the added stress of holiday preparations, it’s essential to prioritize your elderly parent’s needs and create a plan to ensure their comfort and safety.
Start by discussing your elderly parent’s expectations and needs with them, including their favorite holiday traditions and activities. This conversation will help you understand what’s most important to them and how you can make the holidays special. Be sure to also consider their personal care needs, ensuring they have the necessary assistance for bathing, dressing, and daily routines. During this busy time, it’s essential to balance holiday festivities with personal care routines, so your parent feels both included and well taken care of. Additionally, arranging extra support for personal care tasks during the holiday season can give you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on spending quality time with your loved one.
Consider hiring home health aides or respite care services to provide additional support during the holiday season. These professionals can offer comprehensive assistance, allowing you to focus on enjoying the holidays with your loved one without feeling overwhelmed.
Make a list of tasks and delegate responsibilities to other family members to avoid burnout. Whether it’s cooking, decorating, or shopping, sharing the workload ensures that everyone can contribute and that no single family member is overburdened.
Plan ahead for holiday meals and activities, taking into account your elderly parent’s dietary restrictions and mobility limitations. By being mindful of their needs, you can create a holiday experience that is both enjoyable and safe for everyone involved.
Simplify Holiday Gatherings for the Entire Family to Feel Comfortable
Holiday celebrations often center around big family gatherings. Still, for some elderly individuals, the idea of big, loud events can be overwhelming. The holiday season doesn’t have to be big or fancy to be joyful. Simplifying holiday gatherings can help your aging loved ones feel included and comfortable.
Consider smaller, more intimate gatherings: A quieter, low-key holiday celebration may be much more enjoyable for an aging parent with mobility issues, sensory sensitivities, or health conditions. Fewer guests and less noise mean they can participate in conversations and enjoy the festivities.
Adjust the timing: If your loved one is tired or has limited energy, consider having a midday or early evening gathering. That way, they can join in without feeling exhausted or stressed.
Include their traditions: Honor their favorite holiday traditions, whether it’s watching a favorite Christmas movie, baking cookies together or sharing old family stories. These small, meaningful traditions will create a sense of connection and bring back happy memories.
Simplify Travel for Aging Parents
Traveling during the holidays can be stressful for everyone. Still, it can be especially tough for seniors with mobility issues, health concerns, or dementia. If your aging parents can’t travel or don’t want to travel, consider how you can bring the holiday to them in their own home. By adapting the celebration to their environment, you can help them feel included and comfortable while still enjoying the holiday festivities together.
Virtual gatherings: Many families now use virtual platforms like Zoom or FaceTime for holiday connections. If your loved one can’t attend in person, this is an easy way to have them “join” the celebrations. You can set up a tablet or laptop in a central location during the family meal or activity so they don’t miss out.
Arrange travel assistance: If your loved one needs to travel to family gatherings, consider arranging extra help. Many airports and transportation services offer how much assistance, such as wheelchair services, priority seating, and luggage assistance, to seniors. By planning ahead and knowing exactly how much assistance they can receive, you can ensure they feel comfortable and cared for during the journey.
Creating a Festive and Safe Environment
Creating a festive and safe environment for your elderly parent can help them feel more comfortable and engaged during the holiday season.
Decorate your home with festive decorations, but avoid clutter and tripping hazards. Simple, elegant decorations can bring holiday cheer without compromising safety.
Ensure that your home is well-lit, especially in areas where your elderly parent will be walking. Good lighting can prevent accidents and make it easier for them to move around.
Install handrails and grab bars in strategic locations to prevent falls. These safety features can provide extra support and peace of mind for both you and your elderly parent.
Consider using adaptive equipment, such as a wheelchair or walker, to help your elderly parent navigate your home. Making your home accessible ensures that they can participate in holiday activities without difficulty.
It’s also a good idea to consult with medical professionals to determine the best equipment for their needs and ensure proper usage. Their expertise can help you make informed decisions about what will improve your parent’s mobility and comfort, allowing them to fully enjoy the holiday season with the family.
Use Technology for Elderly Parents
Health monitoring devices: If your aging loved one has a health condition, consider using wearables like medical alert systems, fitness trackers or devices that can monitor vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure. These devices will give you peace of mind and alert you if something goes wrong so you can enjoy the holidays without worrying.
Video calls and virtual entertainment: Many older adults enjoy staying connected with loved ones through video calls. Consider setting up a video call with distant family members or inviting them to watch a holiday movie or concert online. These shared experiences will help your loved one feel connected even if they’re not physically present.
Digital photo frames: A digital photo frame is an excellent gift for elderly loved ones. Family members can upload new photos to the frame, which will constantly remind them of family love and the holiday season.
Help with Practical Tasks
The holidays bring extra tasks and responsibilities like cooking, decorating or running errands. For seniors with mobility or energy issues, these tasks can be overwhelming. Helping with these tasks will take some of the load off their shoulders and create a more relaxed holiday.
Cook together: Cooking is a great way to bond with your loved ones. Even if your elderly family member can’t do all the work, they may enjoy contributing to the meal by helping with simple tasks like mixing ingredients, setting the table or making a dish they’ve always made during the holidays.
Assist with holiday shopping: Holiday shopping can be overwhelming, especially if your loved one doesn’t have the energy or ability to go to the stores. Offer to help by making a shopping list or doing the shopping for them. Alternatively, set up online shopping so they can still be part of the process and pick out gifts for others.
Decorate the home: Decorations bring joy and help set the mood. If your loved one loves decorating for the holidays, involve them in the process by letting them choose where to put certain items or hang a special ornament together.
Think About Their Health
When it comes to aging loved ones health and comfort should always be top of mind especially during the holidays. The holiday season can sometimes distract us from their needs, so be mindful of their physical and mental health.
Monitor dietary needs: Many seniors have dietary restrictions, whether due to health conditions like diabetes or heart disease or simple preferences. Take the time to make sure they can enjoy the holiday meal without sacrificing their health.
Offer respite care: If you’re a primary caregiver, the holidays can bring added stress, especially if you’re also managing a busy family schedule. Hiring a professional caregiver or asking for help from other family members will give you a much-needed break. At the same time, your loved one still gets the care they need.
Mind their mental health: The holiday season can be tough for seniors, especially if they’re dealing with loss or isolation. Check-in on their mental health and offer emotional support when needed. Just sitting down for a chat or being present can go a long way.
Involving Your Elderly Parent
Involving your elderly parent in holiday activities can help them feel more connected and engaged.
Encourage your elderly parent to participate in holiday activities, such as cooking, decorating, or singing. These activities can be adapted to their abilities, allowing them to contribute and enjoy the festivities.
Consider hosting a small holiday gathering or party, where your elderly parent can socialize with family and friends. Smaller gatherings can be less overwhelming and more enjoyable for older adults.
Create a photo album or scrapbook with your elderly parent, filled with memories from past holidays. This activity can be a wonderful way to reminisce and strengthen family bonds.
Encourage your elderly parent to share their favorite holiday stories and traditions. Listening to their experiences and memories can bring joy and create a sense of continuity and connection across generations, especially as parents age. These cherished stories not only honor their past but also strengthen family bonds, helping younger generations appreciate the richness of their family history.
How to Manage Caregiving Expenses for Family Caregivers
Caregiving during the holidays means additional expenses, whether for medical supplies, special meals, or caregiving help. Managing shared caregiving expenses between family members can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be.
For family caregivers, especially adult children caring for their elderly parents, financial assistance programs, such as those provided by the Family Caregiver Alliance, can help alleviate some of the burden. By utilizing such resources, family caregivers can better manage the costs of caregiving, ensuring that they have the support needed to focus on what truly matters: spending time together during the holiday season.
With SupportPay, families can split payments, track, and manage costs fairly, keeping everything in one place. This is especially helpful during the holidays when the financial burden can feel heavier. By using SupportPay, families can stay organized and ensure that caregiving expenses, including how to pay caregivers, are shared equitably.
With the added support of programs like the Family Caregiver Alliance, you can focus on what truly matters: spending time with your loved one and making the holiday season a time of joy and connection.
Give the Gift of Yourself
At the end of the day, the most meaningful gift you can give your aging loved one is your time and self. Whether you’re reminiscing over old memories, watching their favorite holiday movie, or just sitting together, those moments create memories that will bring joy for years to come.
While the holiday season can be busy, and we may be tempted to focus on material gifts, remember that the gift of self is often the most valuable for the entire family. Sometimes, just showing up for your loved one can make all the difference and be the greatest comfort.