The holidays are here again, and millions of families all across the country and world are getting together for fun and laughter. The holiday season is a special time of year where family and friends gather to enjoy time together and share in celebrating holiday traditions and making new memories. It’s a time when you want all your family to be together—but this can add extra stress for caregivers of aging relatives who are wondering how to maintain a relaxed environment while involving family members who may not be as independent or capable as they once were. However, by planning ahead and keeping the right mindset, your special holiday traditions can involve everyone and still make for magical memories.
Prepare for the Meal
There are a few ways you can make a Thanksgiving or other holiday meal easier for a senior relative to eat. Chewing tough foods can become more difficult as one ages, especially if they have dentures, so prepare a plate with foods that are easier to chew and swallow such as mashed potatoes and stuffing. Senior citizens may also lose some ability to taste as they get older, so compensating with some extra savory flavor or seasoning could be nice. Keep in mind, though, that it’s best to avoid significant amounts of salt, as this can result in a spike in blood pressure or water retention.
Keep Everyone Healthy
Fall and winter are cold and flu seasons even when we’re not in the middle of a pandemic. When gathering together, it’s wise to take some extra precautions to help everyone stay healthy, especially when considering older individuals with weakened immune systems. Ensure guests wash their hands or use hand sanitizer regularly and consider wearing masks. If a senior relative will be traveling over the holidays, take a moment ahead of time to make sure prescriptions are up to date and don’t hesitate to make an appointment with the doctor if you see any signs of sickness.
Accept Help from Others
Caregiving can be exhausting, so remember that the holidays are for you to enjoy, too! Be honest with yourself about what you can handle and don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help from others. The extra family and friends around during the festivities can take turns filling in and giving you a well-deserved break from caregiving duties; use this time to relax, be present, and enjoy celebrating with your loved ones.
Give Thanks
Yes, the holidays can be stressful, but the season is ultimately about joy and togetherness. Even amid challenges, take time to focus on the many things you have to be thankful for in life. Acknowledging your blessings and reminiscing on good times with loved ones will help you feel the joy and peace that the season’s all about.
Help Elderly Loved Ones Enjoy the Holidays
During the holidays, you can make sure everyone enjoys themselves by following these four simple tips. Prepare for the meal, keep everyone healthy, accept help, and give thanks to make your holiday season with an elderly loved one the best it can be. For additional help, turn to Visiting Angels.
Based in St. George, Utah, Visiting Angels specializes in providing friendly and flexible senior care services to families and individuals throughout Washington, Iron, and Kane counties. Since 1998, our professional caregivers have provided dignified care to seniors to help your loved ones live independently at home with safety. Contact us to learn more.