Supporting our own needs can be difficult for a dementia caregiver at any time of year. But during the holiday season, the additional stress of caregiving can feel insurmountable. Finding ways to celebrate beloved traditions and support a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia can be easier with additional planning or strategies.
“Holidays are a time of great family gatherings and traditions, and they’re important to so many of us, but they’re also a time that can be lonely and stressful,” said Dr. Nathaniel Chin, medical director at the Wisconsin ADRC and the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP) study. “People living with memory loss and people caring for a loved one with dementia should know there are strategies and resources available to help them through holiday stress.”
Chin emphasizes the value of routine, adding, “It’s helpful to establish your daily routines because it grounds us, orients us and requires less brain energy. Similarly, holiday traditions can be important and tap into people’s long-term memory.”
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers these strategies for dementia caregivers:
- Ask for help. Support is vital. Family, friends, community and professional caregivers can all lend a helping hand in different ways, but only if you ask. Don’t be hesitant to ask someone to assist with errands, help with transportation to medical appointments or spend time with the person you are caring for, so that you have a break.
- Make time for yourself. Prioritizing the well-being of the person you are caring for while sacrificing your own is noble but can take a toll. Not taking care of yourself increases risk of caregiver burnout, which compromises your ability to provide quality care and negatively impacts both you and the person for whom you are caring.
- Get moving–exercise can help reduce stress. Exercise is one of the best known techniques for reducing stress, revitalizing energy, and maintaining your health. A brisk walk several times each week gives you significant health benefits, while yoga can help clear your mind.
- Eat a balanced, healthful diet full of fruits, vegetables, and water. Proper diet plays a role in keeping you healthy, as does eliminating smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.
- Sleep is important–a good night’s rest keeps us functioning at our best. Getting a good night’s sleep helps revitalize and recharge your mind and body.
Take it one day at a time. If it’s not an emergency situation, do not turn it into one. Don’t try to juggle too much at once. Try to prioritize and set realistic goals. Focus on one thing at a time.
More links and resources
The Wisconsin ADRC has more links and suggestions for holiday caregiving in their article “Resources for navigating the holidays with Alzheimers.”
The National Institute on Aging has a page of Caregiver Worksheets available to print and download. Use the worksheets to help make plans and decisions related to caregiving, including moving a loved one into your home, managing medications, hiring a care provider, and more.
Find more links and resources on our Caregiver Resources page.