Numerous families usually come together to enjoy the holiday season and the impending new year. Even joyful holidays from the past might be unpleasant. This Christmas season may prove to be even more difficult if you chance to be the caretaker of an elderly loved one during a pandemic. If that is the case, it is more crucial than ever that you put yourself first in addition to making sure they are secure and comfortable. Eliminating any tension you can is the first step towards providing care. To assist you, here are a few ideas.

Holiday and Pandemic Self-Care Advice for Family Caretakers

Determine what is stressing you out the most.

There are many pressures that family caretakers deal with throughout the year, and now there are both holidays and a pandemic. Finding solutions could be simpler after you identify the most challenging problems.

Do you question your ability to provide care or fear that you could overlook something crucial?

Are you concerned that you, your loved one, or even a home health worker might unintentionally spread the coronavirus?

Do you worry that you aren't taking care of your loved one's emotional needs?

Are you concerned that because you are providing care, your own family is being neglected?

Keep in mind the goals you have for the holidays!

Caretakers may have high standards for themselves and are hesitant to accept or seek assistance. Often, caretakers reject offers of assistance because they feel that no one can take care of a loved one as well as they do. A caretaker is considerably more likely to feel overloaded or burnout over the holiday season when a pandemic is present.

Permit yourself to accept assistance this year, and reduce your efforts to uphold time-consuming holiday customs. Limiting your trips will assist you, your family and your senior loved one lower their risk of exposure while concerns about the coronavirus persist.

Use home delivery services and internet shopping to buy groceries, prescription drugs, and other needs.

They can help reduce the strain of Christmas shopping by being safer and more convenient.

Likewise, look for yourself

Caretakers frequently risk their health by skipping workouts and depending on fast food. Many caregivers also struggle to get enough sleep. Reduced immunity and medical emergencies may result.

Self-care, though it can seem like a luxury, is essential for caretakers. Your elderly loved one's care may be at risk if you have a health issue. It may be time to consider "outside the home," where safety and well-being are the top priorities if you are hesitant to welcome guests into your home due to concerns about COVID-19.

Find out if the assisted living facilities in the area could enhance your care

There comes a point where the obligations of caring for a loved one become too much for some family caregivers to handle at home. When that happens, an assisted living facility may offer a solution. You may test out a community and decide if it is a suitable fit for your senior loved one, for your family, and, most importantly, for you by making use of respite programs during times like these. This Christmas season, reaching out to a dependable adviser in a nearby community may be a selfless act of love that you not only need but also deserve.

Heritage Care Home's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Your Safety Matters

At Heritage Care Home, our top priority is to keep you or a loved one safe, healthy, and content. To ensure that our communities are among the safest places to live, nearly all of our team members have received the COVID-19 vaccination. Our residents can live fully and freely in safe communities no matter the season, including the holiday season. Locate a Heritage Care Home Senior Living community close by to find out more information and to get any questions you may have answered.