Aging Parents and Holiday In-Home Care

Over the holidays, we’re likely to see our aging parents and relatives and learn more about their daily habits. If they are beginning to get lonely or are having trouble living independently, the holidays can quickly become a difficult and stressful time. However, if we approach this time with a positive and proactive attitude, we can make our visit joyful for all.

Learn about the “CHEER Plan” to help families manage the holidays with aging parents.

How to Use the CHEER Plan to Manage the Holidays With Aging Parents

The CHEER Plan stands for:

• Check
• Help
• Empower
• Enjoy
• Reminisce

It is a plan that can help you make the most of your time with aging parents and senior loved ones as you visit over the holidays. The CHEER acronym helps you to:

1. CHECK on your parent’s well-being.

Check on your parent’s well-being, especially if you haven’t visited in a while. When we see someone everyday, we may not notice health changes because they happen gradually. On the other hand, when we visit seniors whom we haven’t seen in a while, it may be obvious that they need help. If you’re visiting your parents in their home, check their pantry and refrigerator to make sure they’re eating fresh, healthy food. Survey the overall safety of their home, assuring that carbon monoxide and smoke alarms have batteries and that the rooms don’t have fall hazards. Even if you don’t visit your senior loved one’s home, you can watch for health issues involving chewing and swallowing, gait and mobility, mental clarity and vision.”

2. HELP your senior loved one stay engaged.

Seniors who live alone can suffer from depression due to limited mobility in the winter months. Be inclusive and invite older family members and friends to your celebration, offering transportation if they need it. Older loved ones may need emotional support during this time. Make sure they are comfortable and not overburdened with preparations. If a senior loved one seems lonely, take time to listen. Are they missing family members who have passed away or the way things used to be during holidays of the past?

3. EMPOWER your parent to live independently.

While helping is important, it’s also important that our older loved ones have the knowledge, support and tools needed to live independently when our visit is over. If you are concerned about your parent’s safety, teach them skills that help to compensate for deficits. Also, make sure there is a local support system for your senior loved one and set them up with resources to help them stay safe at home, such as meal delivery services, medical alarms and mobility services.

4. ENJOY your time together.

After you have ensured that your older loved ones are happy and safe, focus on making the most of the holidays and your time together. Encourage group activities to get your family moving; dance to some favorite tunes or take an evening stroll through the neighborhood to see the lights.

5. REMINISCE with parents and senior loved ones.

Many of our fondest memories from childhood and youth are episodes from holidays past. Allow older loved ones to get nostalgic and reminisce over the holidays and about the holidays. Even seniors with advanced memory loss retain long-term memories and may be able to speak vividly about a Christmas more than 50 years ago. Get out family photo albums and videos that bring the past to life for parents and senior loved ones.

BrightStar Care of Montgomery County Supports Family Caregivers by providing a full continuum of home care services comprised of companionship, personal care, dementia care, transportation, medication assistance, skilled nursing and more to improve clients’ health and quality of life.