Holiday Caregiver Burnout

Holiday Caregiver BurnoutAuthor: Valerie Michel Buck

Whether you're at the end of your tether, that tether has been cut years ago or you're just starting caregiving for a loved one, this time of year always seems to be the hardest. The season of joy is upon us, that is what the media, shopping centers and carolers want you to believe, but for many, the season of joy is really just more WORK!  Organizing family from out of town, who is going to whose home when, shopping, cooking for an Army, wrapping gifts, shoveling snow, making that batch of cookies, decorating, the joy of scrapping your car from frost, and of course trying to avoid putting on an extra 10 pounds we usually gain during this time.

Don't forget the responsibilities you already have (work, community and charity) including caregiving.  Could we dump anymore on you during the holidays?  I'm stressed out writing about it.  Deep breath in, deep breath out.  Here are some ideas to make 2015 a little easier on you!

Priorities

• What is important for you to accomplish and what can wait?
• Complete all important tasks from start to finish without starting a new one.  Multi-tasking is wonderful, however, you feel most overwhelmed when you're doing too much at one time.
• Consider giving yourself an allotted time per task.  Example: 20 minutes to straighten the house, it's amazing when you're focused what you can really accomplish in 20 minutes.  Use a timer that you have handy (most modern Microwaves and Ranges have this option without them being in use).

Dump Grandma (in a loving way)

• Everyone needs time to themselves and let's face it Caregiving isn't easy. It is not too much to ask other family members to care Grandma (or Grandpa) occasionally. It can be a great opportunity for other members of your family to spend time caring for and visiting with their Grandparent.
• Sign Grandma up for a community activity where she is with others her age; you can take a class at the community center in another room so you can still be close but doing something that interests you.
• Have you considered hiring a home care service to help care for your loved one?

Chores 

• An annual cleaning from a cleaning company is heaven.  You can dictate how much you're willing to spend and what services you'd like to take advantage of! Gift it to yourself for the holidays because you'll appreciate it.
• Consider talking to your local Boy Scout, Eagle Scout, Community Club, High School Club, or home maintenance service about helping you with tasks around the house. A lot of the time these individuals need community service hours to receive awards and advancements; this also looks great on college applications.
• Pay a neighborhood kid to shovel your snow, they are cheap and I never met a kid who didn't enjoy a little extra money.  Ask their parents if it's okay first.

Pamper

• It's so hard to pamper yourself with Grandma around right? Not at all, go get a pedicure and Grandma could get a haircut and style.

Senior Care Professionals

Choice Connections of Virginia knows many resources in the area that can help with many senior services and may be able to teach you a few steps to help ease the Caregiver burden.

Remember you can't take care of someone else's needs if you first don't learn to take care of your own.

I hope you have all the joy the holidays are meant to bring.