Families Caregiving for Seniors Can Plan for a Safe Thanksgiving

02 Nov Families Caregiving for Seniors Can Plan for a Safe Thanksgiving

Posted at 21:09h in Caregiving, Disease Management by

Thanksgiving is all about reminiscing, reflecting, and togetherness. For families caregiving for senior loved ones, Thanksgiving can also be very stressful.

Thanksgiving is considered one of the most meaningful and joyous holidays as it celebrates family traditions and togetherness. However, planning and hosting holiday gatherings, or even simply attending multiple events can quickly become overwhelming and stressful. This can be especially true for seniors and for families caregiving for senior loved ones during the Thanksgiving holiday.

For seniors, holidays can be challenging due to:

Caregiving for senior loved one can make celebrating Thanksgiving with your family feel overwhelming, both for caregivers and for seniors.

By starting your Thanksgiving planning now and making sure to keep your senior loved ones in mind, everyone can have a fun holiday.

During the holiday season, things like a break from routine, missing medications, and diet changes can pose risks for seniors. Here are a few ways to keep your holiday plans senior-friendly and make sure everyone in your family has a safe holiday.

If your senior has memory-related problems, a disrupted routine can prove problematic.

Try writing down a schedule for the day to keep your loved one in the know. You can also set reminders on your phone or use a traditional pill organizer to make sure you don’t miss a medication dose. This can help keep your senior on their routine, even during the craziness that is the holiday season.

Make sure your holiday feast includes some healthy options.

It’s easy to change up your favorite meals and offer options from the MIND diet. One of the most important things to remember when feeding an older adult is to include options from all the food groups. Try offering a lean meat, like turkey, and vegetables high in nutrients, like sweet potatoes. Making healthy eating choices this Thanksgiving is a simple way to make sure your holiday is inclusive and safe for seniors.

Include down time and encouraging the whole family to join in.

Although the holiday season can be fast-paced, make sure your senior doesn’t over exert themselves. You can prevent this by including down time and encouraging the whole family to join in and participate in activities such as crafting or watching a favorite holiday movie. Asking seniors about their holiday memories and traditions is also a fun and easy way to involve them in family social activities.

Pay special attention to the mood and disposition of senior loved ones during the holidays.

While Thanksgiving is a happy time for many, some seniors can experience “holiday blues” – feelings of sadness and grief. Seasonal depression can have a significant influence on the elderly as they think about loved ones who are no longer there to share in the celebrations. Families’ caregiving for seniors should pay special attention to the mood and disposition of their loved ones during the holidays.

By starting your Thanksgiving planning now and making sure to keep your senior loved ones in mind, everyone can have a fun holiday.

Needing an extra hand for the holidays?

Not including our caregivers, our team has over 100 years of collective clinical experience caring for thousands of families, including our own. We know that it can be overwhelming to care for a loved one, and we’re here to help guide you. All employees receive highly specialized training in the most advanced home care safety techniques as well as specific disease management procedures. Our dedication to high quality in-home care ensures that we have the most compassionate and experienced team in the industry. Contact Family Tree In-Home Care today for more information on how our professional caregivers can assist you or your loved ones with home care assistance.

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