Try: Celebrate only the holidays that are important to you and the Care recipient (cr) include the cr in the holiday celebrations as much as possible talk to the cr about his or her favorite holiday activities and traditions make plans with the cr to do these activities along with the ones that you also would enjoy as well try to plan ahead rather than wait until the last minute if numerous individuals are involved in the holiday celebrations try to make plans to accomodate the majority accept the fact that you most likely will not be able to please everyone understand that things will be different be realistic about what is and is not possible for example a big family celebration over several days may not be feasible if the cr is in the hospital or nursing home as an alternative you may be able to reserve the family dining room in the facility and have a nice family dinner together sometimes a shorter family visit is better than a longer one sometimes a simple celebration is better than an elaborate one try to maintain a positive attitude about the holidays focus on the things that you and the cr enjoy rather than the things that you don’t like about the holidays ask a friend or family member to spend time with Care recipient (cr) while you take a break from care giving

Materials: n/a

Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Emotional Psychological, Social

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the national institute on aging internet website www nia nih gov caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide 2011

Keywords: Holidays balancing care giving with holidays enjoying the holidays holiday stress holiday respite

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed