Caregiving tips for_the_holidays

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Consultant

© 2011 Barbara McVicker, LLC

Help a Caregiver You Know

www.BarbaraMcVicker.com

Ways to help

• Offer to help clean and cook.• Wrap Christmas presents.• Go shopping.• Pick up the kids.• Give them the day off.• Drop off dinner.• Send a thank you gift to a family that is

caregiving.

If You Are the Caregiver

Take Care of Yourself

• Ask for help from family, friends, church, community organizations.

• Get lots of sleep, eat well, exercise, and take breaks.

• Gift yourself with relaxation. Treat yourself as often as you can.

Address Family Problems

Assess the Situation

• Use family gatherings to assess how your parents are really doing. Are they healthy, are they safe?

• Watch for seasonal and clinical depression at the holidays.

• Do your parents have a will? A financial plan? • Do you know their doctors? Their

medications?

Talk

• End family feuds. • Talk to siblings about your parents and their

needs.• Photograph and interview older family

members and preserve those memories.• Acknowledge past losses. Honor those who

are gone by tell stories, continuing traditions, etc.

For more tips and ideas go to:

www.BarbaraMcVicker.com

A lifeline to

adult children

caregivers

www.BarbaraMcVicker.com