Caring for Loved Ones During the Holidays

The Holidays are filled with so many things that keep us busy; decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking and for many, caregiving.

I spent several years being a caregiver (along with other family members) for my sweet grandparents. Several times each week, my family and I would prepare dinner for them, enjoy the meal together and visit. As Nonna's (Italian for Grandmother) Dementia continued to progress the cares needed became greater. Instead of visits about my growing daughters or sharing a recipe, daily morning phone calls turned into "Have you taken your pills yet?" to which Nonna would respond, every morning, "What pills?" At this point I would direct her to the pill box, explain how to open the flap and wait on the phone as she got a glass of water and swallowed the medication.

While I never would trade a second of the time spent in the service of these two wonderful people, thoughts did cross my mind at times of "How am I going to do all of this?" Caregiving is draining, difficult, compassionate and wonderful all at the same time. But, in our crazy, run-everywhere world that begs us to do more, do better and do it faster, how do we keep our sanity while caregiving? I found these tips on the National Family Caregiver's Association website and wanted to share them with you:

10 Tips for Family Caregivers

• Caregiving is a job and respite is your earned right. Reward yourself with respite breaks often.
• Watch out for signs of depression, and don’t delay in getting professional help when you need it.
• When people offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific things that they can do.
• Educate yourself about your loved one’s condition and how to communicate effectively with doctors.
• There’s a difference between caring and doing. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one’s independence.
• Trust your instincts. Most of the time they’ll lead you in the right direction.
• Caregivers often do a lot of lifting, pushing, and pulling. Be good to your back.
• Grieve for your losses, and then allow yourself to dream new dreams.
• Seek support from other caregivers. There is great strength in knowing you are not alone.
• Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and a citizen.

Source: National Family Caregiver's Association

Please let me know if there is anything Freedom Home Health and Hospice can do to help support you in caring for your loved ones.