Holiday Tips
Managing Holiday Stress and Caregiving In Oakland County, MI and the Detroit Metro Area
December 24, 2010 | 
Author We all know the holidays can be a stressful time just living an ordinary family life. There is much confusion with the hustle and bustle preparing for extra company, fixing special meals and playing host while trying to enjoy the whole experience. For the caregiver, this time can add a whole new set of stresses to an already stressful situation. I think one of the most important points the caregiver should remember in this situation is to try to maintain a sense of familiarity for whom is being cared for. Confusion and unfamiliar changes often bring out the worst in us. Imagine what it can do to someone with memory problems, physical impairments or other handicaps. With this in mind, there are some tips to help make the holidays more enjoyable for all involved.
* Try to include the loved one in some holiday preparations. Focus on remaining strengths, and let them use their own capabilities to help with small tasks. It makes them feel useful while at the same time helps to occupy them while you get on with other preparations.
* Whatever the holiday being celebrated, gift giving is an inevitable part of most of the festivities. Consider placing only a few gifts out. There is no need to spread them out so as to half fill the living room. This would only create a either a tripping hazard or confusion for the one you are caring.
* Be sure to secure all extra electrical cords. Run them along the outside walls where they are not so visible.
* Another good idea is to try to maintain the same furniture floor pattern. For someone who may be confused at times, moving the furniture around may totally throw them off and lead to more confusion and agitation.
* Consider using a display of artificial flowers rather than live, poisonous plants in decorating schemes.
* Attempt to schedule the major activities early in the day. Under normal conditions, we all tend to become tired. For someone who is struggling to find their place in an already confusing world, the stress and agitation increases as the day goes on.
* Saving a time of sitting and quietly visiting toward the end of the day would benefit everyone. Talking of past holiday customs and recipes may be enjoyable to your loved one, if they have long term memory recall.
* Try to limit the number of guests so the amount of confusion is decreased. Keep in mind the more noise, the more confusion will be evident.
If holiday activities are planned well in advance, each guest should be made aware of the emotional state of the one for whom you are caring. You could even send them material to read providing an overview of the disease, if they are unaware of what it entails. This also would be an excellent opportunity to prepare friends and family for the changes they might see in your loved one, especially if they have not been to visit in some time. Most importantly, always try to make your loved one feel secure and protected. As much as possible, keep your loved one on their regular routine. We all know just a slight change in routine can cause increased confusion and stress to everyone concerned. Your holiday plans will flow more smoothly if everyone is aware of your loved one’s needs and limitations.
With guests in and out of the house, be sure someone is aware at all times of where they are. If they tend to wander, there is a chance they may wander off while everyone thinks someone else is watching them. Assign different people to take turns keeping him or her in sight. And if your loved one becomes agitated, try to remove them to a quiet area of the house either with yourself so someone they trust. Your loved one could be trying to tell you they need a break from the activities.
Finally, fit some time in for yourself this holiday season. If you have extra people there, use them to your advantage. Take a few minutes sometime during the day to pamper yourself. Remember, this is your holiday, too and do not be afraid to let family know a little quiet time for yourself could be a gift beyond measure. Place your sister or brother in charge of mom or dad or hubby and go run yourself a hot bubble bath or take a 30-minute or a much-needed nap. Something this simple will refresh you and help you enjoy the holidays that much more.
If you need some additional in-home assistance for your senior loved ones or others, please don’t hesitate to contact Alliance Senior Care in Bloomfield Hills, MI. We offer a variety of services, which can help relieve stress and alleviate the pressure of caring for the entire family during the holidays! We serve Oakland, Wayne & Macomb Counties and you may reach us at 248.274.2170. We hope to hear from you soon!
Stress, depression and the holidays: 10 tips for coping in the Detroit Metro area!
Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.
The holiday season, which begins for most Americans with Thanksgiving and continues through New Year’s Day, often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. And it’s no wonder. In an effort to pull off a perfect holiday, you might find yourself facing a dizzying array of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name a few. So much for peace and joy, right?
Actually, with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress and depression that often accompany the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.
Recognize holiday triggers
Learn to recognize common holiday triggers, so you can disarm them before they lead to a meltdown:
- Relationships. Relationships can cause turmoil, conflict or stress at any time, but tensions are often heightened during the holidays. Family misunderstandings and conflicts can intensify — especially if you’re thrust together for several days. On the other hand, facing the holidays without a loved one can be tough and leave you feeling lonely and sad.
- Finances. With the added expenses of gifts, travel, food and entertainment, the holidays can put a strain on your budget — and your peace of mind. Not to mention that overspending now can mean financial worries for months to come.
- Physical demands. Even die-hard holiday enthusiasts may find that the extra shopping and socializing can leave them wiped out. Being exhausted increases your stress, creating a vicious cycle. Exercise and sleep — good antidotes for stress and fatigue — may take a back seat to chores and errands. To top it off, burning the wick at both ends makes you more susceptible to colds and other unwelcome guests.
Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression
When stress is at its peak, it’s hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.
- Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.
- Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
- Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can’t come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videotapes.
- Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression too.
- Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone’s name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.
- Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
- Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
- Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity.
- Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
- Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
Take control of the holidays
Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you may find that you enjoy the holidays this year more than you thought you could.
If you need some additional in-home assistance for your senior loved ones or others, please don’t hesitate to contact Alliance Senior Care in Bloomfield Hills, MI. We offer a variety of services, which can help relieve stress and alleviate the pressure of caring for the entire family during the holidays! We serve Oakland, Wayne & Macomb Counties and you may reach us at 248.274.2170. We hope to hear from you soon!
Posted in Caregivers, Holiday Tips, Senior Care Services | 
Tags: Alliance Senior Care, assistance, family gatherings, festivities, general tips, healthy habits, holiday triggers, holidays, in-home assistance, Macomb County, Oakland County, plan ahead, reach out, resources, support, Wayne County | 
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Making Spirits Bright for the whole family this Holiday Season!
In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s hard to forget the festive season isn’t just about the kids, the big dinner, the tree and the parties. Our older parents, grandparents and relatives are often the loneliest at this time of year, but there are things we can do to make sure they feel loved and included.
Brian & Dina Hurnevich, owners of Alliance Senior Care in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan have these tips to keep every member of your family happy and healthy as you get ready for Christmas and the New Year.
*Include them as much as possible. Especially if the seniors in your family aren’t as mobile as they used to be. Offer to pick them up and drop them off, or arrange for a cab or for someone else to do the driving.
*Recognize their limitations. Grandma may be used to whipping together a turkey dinner for 12, but her hands and eyes aren’t what they used to be. Encourage your older family members to take it easy and let you pamper them for a change, but let them help with smaller, less complicated tasks if they want to participate.
*Listen to their stories. Many of our older relatives live in their memories. Encourage them to talk about holidays gone by. If they keep albums, ask to see the pictures. They may have some wonderful traditions from their childhood that you can incorporate into your own family’s plans.
*Give the best gift of all – your time! “Most of the seniors I work with say the best gift of all is spending time with family” said Kristan. Unhurried, uncomplicated family time will mean the most to your loved one and will create memories to last all year long.
*Don’t let it end. The week after New Years’ is often the hardest for seniors, with the excitement over and families getting back to their normal routines. Make it your New Years’ Resolution to spend more time with your older relatives throughout the year.
Holiday Spirit!
It’s often around family holidays that you’ll notice your older parent, grandparent or relative isn’t doing as well as they once were. If you feel it’s time to bring in some help, Alliance Senior Care will be there. Our caring service throughout Oakland, Wayne & Macomb Counties makes it possible for the elderly to maintain as much independence as possible, by providing the appropriate in-home assistance and companionship. In that way we lift spirits not only of the elderly, but of the family caregivers as well.
Posted in Holiday Tips | Tags: companionship, family gatherings, festivities, grandparents, holidays, in-home assistance, independence, loneliness, Macomb County, making spirits bright, memories, Oakland County, parents, relatives, seniors, sharing and caring, traditions, Wayne County | No Comments »
