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Center for Women & Children's Health Health and Wellness Handling stress during the holidays for the caregiver
Handling stress during the holidays for the caregiver
With the holidays right around the corner, you need to consider the most “hidden patient,” the caregiver. As the caregiver of an elderly, sick, frail or disabled friend or family member, the holidays can add an even heavier load. The caregiver also is the one that mediates the needs of the one they are caring for to the rest of the family or friends. One of the first key things for a caregiver to remember is H.A.L.T.
Never let yourself get too
- Hungry
- Angry
- Lonely
- Tired
Yes, this is easier said than done, but you have to take care of yourself before you are able to care for others. The holidays can be especially hard for those caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s. People tend to think more around the holidays about reminiscing about years past, and caregivers may see how much the loved one has lost.
Here are some helpful tips to get caregivers through each day and especially the holiday stress.
- Set reasonable expectations. Make sure you do not take on too much more (cooking, cleaning, hosting more family in your home). Make sure you pick what you can and cannot take on.
- Do not compare previous years to this current year. Maybe the loved one was doing better last holiday season and they are not this year. Take it day by day!
- Ask for and accept help! Take a break. Have someone sit with the loved one so you can get out and even holiday shop or go to the salon. If it is a beautiful day, go for a nice long relaxing walk.
- Don’t abandon healthful eating and drinking habits. While it’s certainly okay to treat yourself during the holidays, avoid giving in to stress-driven urges for overeating or for overindulging in alcohol.
- Seek support from other caregivers, join a support group. Check with your local community center or your loved ones’ physician to see if there are any groups meeting in your area.
- Use community resources such as meal or shopping services, home-care aides, adult day services and/or volunteer help from faith-based organizations or civic groups.
Remember, you have to take care of yourself before you can care for others. You are an exceptional person for taking on the responsibility as a caregiver. Make sure you care for yourself, and let others care for you as well!
Read more about stress and anxiety during the holiday season.