Beating Caregiver Stress During the Holidays

The holidays can be a challenging time of year for everyone. But for already overloaded family caregivers, there are added pressures. Seasonal tasks such as shopping for holiday gifts, wrapping presents, decorating the house and hosting parties can take a toll. When you add caring for a north Texas senior loved one to that list, it can result in a potentially serious case of caregiver burnout.

Not surprisingly, four in ten caregivers say they can’t manage it all during the holidays. But there are steps you can take to lighten your load and take care of your own mental, emotional, and physical health during the holiday season.

Preventing Caregiver Burnout during the Holidays

1. Ask for Help: As we head in to the busiest days of the holiday season, ask for help. It might be from a relative or friend. Perhaps they can do some of your holiday shopping for you or sit with your loved one while you work through your holiday “To Do” list. Many caregivers in the Dallas- Fort Worth area use respite care at an assisted living community during this time.
2. Set Reasonable Goals: Give yourself permission to do only what you can reasonably manage given your caregiving responsibilities. This might mean buying gift cards for loved ones instead of shopping for and wrapping presents or saying “no” to requests that you contribute to the church potluck or a favorite charity’s cookie sale.
3. Adapt and be Flexible: Accept that some of your holiday traditions may need to change in the short-term. Your family’s holiday dinner may need to be a potluck this year or you might need to scale back on the amount of decorating you do.
4. Create New Traditions: It might also help you cope with the holiday stresses if you make a point of creating new traditions to replace ones you are letting go of. For example, you might start a new tradition of dragging out old home movies or family photos albums to look at together on Christmas Eve or Hanukkah.
5. Support of Peers: Connecting with a support group either in-person or online can offer the emotional boost that you need. Talking with other north Texas caregivers who can understand and relate to your struggles and may be able to offer tips for coping is the best gift you can give yourself this holiday season. An online support group may be especially convenient when you are short on time during the holidays.

We understand the holidays can be especially stressful times for north Texas family caregivers. We hope these tips help you keep the season bright!

Senior Living Specialists is a free service for seniors and their families. We are compensated by a referral fee when a senior moves into a community or care home. Please call us today at 214-929-5055 to learn more.