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-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information Coping with holiday stress
By Bea Cowlin, Caregiver Liaison
The holidays can be a stressful and difficult time for many reasons, including the responsibilities of caregiving. Caregivers who are coping with the serious illness of a family member may face difficult decisions in terms of keeping up with yearly family traditions. It's important for you as the caregiver to clearly state what you can or cannot do.
Prioritize! Decide with some input from family and the person you are caring for, which traditions you wish to keep.
Ask for help! Enlist others to assist with cooking. If there are children in the family, ask them to help. Explain why help is needed. If possible, involve the person you are caring for in planning and some activities. If there are fewer decorations, or less holiday goodies, that’s okay.
Some additional holiday tips:
• When family and friends ask for gift suggestions, keep in mind that “help” is the best gift - 2 to 3 hours every week or every other week.
• Keep family gatherings small. Too many people may be too much for you as caregiver, and may overwhelm the person you are caring for.
• Plan a “pot luck” so you aren’t responsible for all the cooking.
• Prepare yourself. Family members who have not visited in awhile may insist that everyone looks fine, and may down play your caregiving responsibilities.
• Television shows and magazine articles may portray unrealistic family gatherings where everything is perfectly happy, triggering feelings of sadness and other emotions.
• Take care of yourself! Try to find some quiet time for yourself each day, even if it’s only 10 minutes.
• Most important, keep your sense of humor and remember that you are not alone.
For further support, contact Elder Services' Caregiver Liaison Bea Cowlin at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242 ext. 113 or by email at caregiver@esbci.org.