Friends are like jewels. Some are precious. Others are semi-precious. A few can be considered rare. Occasionally we continue to hang onto those who are like costume jewelry – an added accessory. The precious friends are there when we need them. They answer our calls. The semi-precious will assist us if it is convenient for them. The rare friends are there no matter what. Sometimes they show up before we are aware we need their support and assistance. The friends who are like costume jewelry just want to be around for the photographs. As caregivers, all of our friends play a role in our lives. It is a relief to know that the stresses and concerns of caregiving are shared by those who have our interest at heart. What kind of friend are you? Diamond, ruby or emerald?
Acts of Kindness for Caregivers
As we get closer to the rush and excitement that comes with the holidays, have you thought of performing acts of kindness that do not require shopping or baking? One of the most memorable acts is an unexpected visit to a caregiver or a caring family. The time spent with this family or person will be more treasured than the time spent in the malls shopping for a gift. I remember visits with seniors, loved ones and friends. When I was very young, the visits seemed boring. I sat there listening to the adults talk about their experiences. As I got older, I remember visiting some of those same adults because I wanted to or had it become a part of the family tradition? They shared some of those same stories from my childhood. Today, most of those seniors have made their transitions. I still think about the visits. It is a calming experience. Will you share your time this holiday season with a caregiver or a senior who will be overjoyed with your visit with or without tidings.
Caregiving During the Holidays
This is the season of holidays. Thanksgiving has just passed and we are heading into Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Years. During these special holidays, the life of the caregiver can become filled with more stress, overwhelm and even depression. There are often more responsibilities including extra visitors, more cooking, more shopping. How do you manage the additional phone calls, added appointments, social gatherings? How does your loved one handle the changes in the day-to-day routine? Are you able to spend quiet time together? Is the excess affecting the health and well-being of your loved one? Have you scheduled the celebrations and activities around the care of your loved one? Are you willing to allow friends and family members to relieve you for brief periods of time? Are you doing what is necessary to lighten your load as the caregiver while you enjoy the holidays? Share your thoughts with me.
Happy Thanksgiving Week
In America, this is the week most people start preparing for Thanksgiving. Traditions are followed with favorite family foods, visits from friends and family. In the last few decades, more consumerism has crept into this family oriented holiday. As caregivers for family members, we sometimes wonder how much of this tradition we are able to maintain. Do we continue with the enormous fancy meal? Do we prepare a simpler and sometimes healthier version of a family favorite? Will it continue to be the family favorite? Do we include the older family members in the preparations? How do we include the younger family members to become an integral part of this celebration? There are some 40 and 50 year-old people who are eager to visit parents as the parents and grandparents continue to work tirelessly preparing this annual dinner. When do they graduate to assisting with this tradition? As this week of giving thanks emerges, let us thank our loved ones and share with our elders. This includes learning the family secrets and getting your hands into the mix. Some family history might be learned and so much more for continued thanksgiving.