Blog Post: Tips for Holiday Senior Home Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Parapise Valley

By Damon Cecil

The holiday season is commonly the one time many families displaced across the country get together to celebrate.  More than 60% of adult children live away from their aging parents and the holidays may be the one time each year when Boomers and their aging parents gather.  This is an essential time to assess their overall mood, emotional level of worry and their physical health and well being.  This also may be the only time the family talks about health concerns and plans for care.

 There are seven common tips for reducing the stress and anxiety a family may deal with when it comes to dealing with aging parents and an increased need for outside care.

1.       Be aware of physical and mental exhaustion.

Most adult children struggle with the fact that their parents aren't able to do what they used to do. Keep in mind that when you are stressed, this affects your whole family. Instead of forcing group activities, respect their need and desire for time for rest, including movies, tea time and naps.  

2.       Keep tabs on healthy eating habits.

The average American gains about 5 pounds during the holiday seasons. For someone with an age-related disease like diabetes, extra pounds can lead to major health problems. Plan balanced family meals in advance. Forgo high calorie sugar treats. See if vitamin supplements work with their medication schedule and encourage their use of the B vitamins.

3.       Get an overview of your parent's financial health.

The national average of senior citizens living in poverty was 9.9% (U.S. Census 2007). Get an overview of your parent's financial status and have an honest conversation of what they can afford, from housing to healthcare. Eliminate extravagant holidays if your parents can't participate. Determine their priorities for the coming year and find out what local resources are open for them to reach these goals.

4.       Be attentive to changes in your parent.  

Do they need more help than usual? Because you may only see your parents once or twice a year, the holiday season is the best time to assess their in-home needs. Seniors living independently need to know that you are aware of their changing needs and can help them live the lifestyle they want with in-home care.

Have they changed their daily routines and activities? Is Grandma avoiding social situations she used to enjoy? Does Dad seem to have more worries than before and do   those worries seem out of proportion to reality, such as a real threat to his safety.  

5.       Give your parents a time to share traditions and reflect.

Make sure you allow your parents a set-aside time to talk about their lives and their        loved-ones. The holidays spark memories of good times and loved ones lost. Take the        time to talk about your parents' friends and loved-ones to help them enjoy the holidays       now.  

6.       Pay attention to their overall mood.

Depression and anxiety often occur together. Tearfulness, apathy and a loss of interest   in formerly enjoyable activities are possible signs of depression. In the winter months, more than 10 million people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which exacerbates feelings of fatigue, anxiety or "the blahs." Encourage your parent to be as physically active as they can be and to remain socially connected through clubs, senior centers, churches and synagogues.

7.       Talk about medications and their effectiveness.

Find out if your aging parent recently started taking another medicine or is using more of a particular medication than before. Medication side effects, such as breathing problems, irregular heartbeat or tremors, can simulate symptoms of anxiety. Also, an increased use of medication, or alcohol, may indicate an attempt to "self-medicate." Use this time to determine who should be assigned durable medical power of attorney so that your aging parent's physician can talk to you about any health-related concerns you have.

For all your family caregiving and in-home care needs, respite care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley call Right at Home for a free in-home assessment.