Tips For Caregivers To Make The Holiday Season Less Stressful
If you are caring for a loved one with a neurodegenerative disease, you might be finding this holiday season very stressful. Alzheimer’s, dementias, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease can make someone need full-time care. That leaves no breaks for the caregiver. Adding more stress to an already hectic time of year.
Kat Hartley, Program Manager at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, recently shared her tips on Talking Solutions for those in these circumstances. Disappointment felt by caregivers and a feeling of loss around the holidays are a normal reaction, says Kat. It is important for those who feel this to give themselves the space to do so without judgment. There is a certain grieving process that naturally might occur before one can settle into acceptance for their situation.
Kat also shared tips for caregivers to implement to make holidays less stressful on themselves and those they are caring for. Keeping a positive mindset is one. Letting go of the need for perfection is another. Kat suggests caregivers keep the holidays as simple as possible. And invites others to adopt her “Triple AAA” mindfulness strategy:
- Acceptance – Of what the situation is and how it might not compare to what the caregiver envisioned for this time in their lives.
- Allowance – Space to allow the reality of what is to settle in.
- Affirmations – Positive self-talk every day to help keep a healthy perspective in the tough times.
Creating joy in the activities with loved ones is another tip Kat shared that could help with the stressful times. Focusing more on the doing rather than the outcome, and accepting the outcome might not be perfect, is a healthy approach for caregivers.
Kat also had great ideas for caregivers to practice self-care, and explained why it’s so important for caregivers to do so.
To get more information about the Cleveland Clinic, visit their website. The original air date for this podcast was December 18, 2022.
–Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ Las Vegas
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1. Significant Memory Loss
This is defined as memory loss that disrupts everyday life. Including asking the same question multiple times, or forgetting important dates or events.
2. Challenges In Problem Solving Or Planning
Includes trouble following a recipe someone has done several times or keeping track of their regular bills. Also taking much longer than usual to do things than before.
3. Trouble Executing Daily Routine
If someone is struggling to drive to a familiar location or suddenly forgets the rules to a favorite game, they may be experiencing the early signs of Alzheimer’s.
4. Confusion About Time Or Place
These symptoms can look like losing track of where they are or what season it is. Or confusion about how someone got to where they are.
5. Trouble With Spatial Relationships And Images
Vision issues are common for some with Alzheimer’s. Depth perception, color differentiation, or difficulty with balance or reading are reported as effects of this.
6. New Problems With Language
Following a conversation has been reported as a struggle for those with Alzheimer’s. Watch for things like stopping in the middle of a conversation, uncertain of how to proceed. Or someone repeated themselves or calling things by their wrong name.
7. Losing Things
People with the disease have often reported putting things where they don’t normally go, and not knowing how to retrace steps to find missing items. Sometimes the disease causes so much confusion here that people can accuse others of stealing their items.
8. Decrease In Sound Judgment
Sometimes those with Alzheimer’s stop making good decisions. Including things like impulsive spending or getting lazier about personal hygiene.
9. Withdrawal From Social Activities
Struggles in having conversations with others can sometimes lead someone to withdraw from engaging with other people.
10. Mood Or Personality Changes
Those with Alzheimer’s can have big changes in personality, including confusion, suspicion, depression, fear or anxiety. Especially when out of their comfort zone.
