The holidays are a wonderful time, an opportunity for families to come together to share in old traditions and create new memories with loved ones.  However, the holidays can also be a stressful time, making it more important for family caregivers to remember not to neglect themselves during the hustle and bustle of the busy season.  After a long day of shopping or holiday gatherings, treat yourself to some time alone reading a book, taking a bubble bath, or doing whatever it is that you find relaxing.  The holidays are so often about thinking of others, about showing love and appreciation for the people who are most important to you.  Try not to forget to honor and appreciate yourself in the process. 

For many individuals the holidays may also be a time when families join together to discuss the difficult decisions about finding care for their older relative.  Family members visiting an older loved one who they have not seen recently may notice changes in their situation that need to be addressed.  We like to remind caregivers of a few warning signs for you that may suggest action should be taken:

• Change in eating habits, including weight gain/loss or change in appetite

• Neglected personal hygiene including neglected nails, teeth, and bathing

• Lack of or decrease of internal and external home maintenance

• Mobility difficulty, general weakness, or forgetfulness

• Decrease in participation in activities previously important to them

• Unusual display of unopened mail, piling newspapers, missed appointments, and/or unfilled prescriptions

• Mishandled finances such as not paying bills or losing money

• Unusual purchases such as buying more than one magazine subscription of the same magazine, entered an unusual amount of contests, and/or increased usage of purchasing from television advertisements

If you notice any of these warning signs when visiting a loved one, or if you would simply like assistance in planning for a loved one’s future needs, your Eldercare Specialist can help your family in developing an effective, practical plan for your specific situation.  Other community resources can then be identified, including escort transportation, medication management, home care, and minor home repair.  Planning for the future today will help to ensure many happy holidays for years to come.

In light of the severe weather, this is also a good time to remind caregivers to keep close tabs on their older loved ones.  Make sure they have an emergency supply of medication, food and water, and that they are able to stay warm.  If you are traveling, be sure to take along blankets, water, flares, cat litter or something for traction, and keep your cell phone charged at all times.  Also remember to keep windshield wiper fluid filled at all times. 

For additional information or assistance please contact Heather O’Brien, ElderCare Specialist, at (314) 802-5106 or hobrien@standrews1.com.