The Mini Holiday Guide for Caregivers
My dad has Parkinson's and dementia. His short term memory is pretty bad but gets better if can look at a picture for a reminder. He's an avid reader but can't remember what he read. He used to make breakfast weekday mornings, but now he is too much of a fall risk to cook. Holidays over the last few years have definitely looked different and my mom and I have had to get creative due to his changing cognition, language, and mobility.
Maybe you've had similar concerns like my mom or my patients' caregivers:
You want to include them but don't want the risk of any falls or injuries.
They want to help you go shopping for decorations and gifts, but can't get around like they used to.
They want to cook but you know they'll leave the burners on or forget steps.
You want to include them in conversation, but you're not sure they'll remember the question or what they want to say.
This mini holiday guide is part inspired by my dad and part inspired by the wonderful patients I treat everyday. You'll find tips on including your loved ones in holiday traditions or maybe you'll find yourself creating new ones. Plus at the end of this post, I'm including a link to my Amazon store for last minute holiday gifts. Think digital picture frames (snagged this for my dad for wedding pictures!), customized notebooks, and picture-based books. (*as an Amazon affiliate, I do make a small commission for anything you buy)
Mini Holiday Guide for Caregivers
1. Go gift shopping together.
Time to get creative! If your loved one can't physically go gift shopping with you, there are other ways you can include them.
Google gift ideas with them. Read the list of website choices and let them choose their favorite.
Pull up pictures of gifts and enlarge them or give a nice detailed description to let them help choose.
Flip through a catalog or magazine to make a wish list.
2. Keep cooking simple.
Let them help make the grocery shopping list by giving ideas and/or writing it down. You can even Facetime them while at the store to get their opinion on choosing between 2 items. While cooking:
Give simple kitchen tasks like mixing or folding napkins
Include a visual and/or written schedule to help everyone keep on task
Put them in charge of notifying everyone when the cooking timer goes off
3. Stay flexible.
If we're being real here...headaches, sleeping all day, pain, and changing moods can all show up during the holidays. Give your loved ones space if they need and stick to your own time-energy boundaries. One Christmas, my mom, Ryan, and I ate leftovers then ordered out because everyone was too tired to cook. Oh, and my dad slept the entire time. My mom ended up cooking a delicious meal the day after Christmas. Try to make the best out of your time together.
4. Have fun!
Look through photos from a recent or old family/friend event. Let them choose the decoration colors or give opinions while decorating the house. Play simple games like Bingo, Go Fish, or Jenga. Consider teammates if they need a bit more help! Plus nothing says holidays like a little competition between family, right? ;-)
For my last-minute gift shoppers, head to my Amazon store to shop digital picture frames; motivational journals; customized notebooks; classic game show puzzles like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune; and picture books (great for those who have hobbies or specific interests like cars, traveling, cats, etc... You can write a sweet memory inside the cover).
Have a happy and healthy holiday season!
Alex
P.S. - My one last bonus tip! Take lots of pictures together and record videos with friends and family. It'll be a fun memory for the both of you! Last year, someone recommended this for me & my dad and I thought it was one of the best caregiver tips I've heard. From my wedding to summer barbecues, he's really loved looking back and talking about who and what was going on. Okay, that's all for now! Be safe and be well!
Cover Photo by Nicole Michalou
