Make caring for older loved ones during the holidays more enjoyable and less stressful with these tips.

The holidays are an ideal time to spend time with friends and family members, but it’s rarely considered a relaxing time of year. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season, from shopping to social gatherings to family gatherings, can be incredibly stressful, and when you are caring for older loved ones, your own tasks can fall by the wayside.

Wondering how you’ll get everything on your to-do list done in time for the holidays? Try the following recommendations from our expert caregivers in Provo and the nearby areas to help you stay on task.

Skip the shopping mall & shop virtual. Going out to a crowded mall can be a challenge this time of year, especially when the person you are caring for is challenged by mobility or health issues that make leaving home difficult. Online shopping can be done from pretty much anywhere, in the doctor’s office, before going to bed while watching TV, etc., and is quite a bit less stressful than struggling through the large holiday crowds.
Find support. Too many gifts to wrap? Don’t know how you’ll write out all of your holiday cards? Find a family member or friend who can help wrap presents. Reserve an afternoon to visit, sip hot chocolate, and write out all of your cards together with your older family member helping in whatever way they can.
Be discerning about “made from scratch.” Many people feel the need to go overboard on meals during the holiday season, but not everything on your table has to be homemade. Choose one or two selections for your holiday menu that you love to make from scratch, and incorporate some microwavable or ready-made dishes to round out the table and save you time.

As the leading provider of senior care in Provo and the surrounding areas, we are here to make each day during the holiday season – and beyond – brighter and happier for those we serve, while allowing family caregivers to take necessary time away from their care tasks.

Caring for older loved ones during the holidays can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to stress you out. With Harmony Home Health & Hospice, you are never alone in your role as a caregiver. Contact us online to request a free in-home consultation to learn more about the many ways we can help you and an older adult you love. From all of us at Harmony Home Health & Hospice, we wish you and your family the happiest of holidays and all the best in the coming year!