The holidays are almost upon us and they can be stressful in the best of times. If you're also caring for aging parents, there are many other things to think about such as how to safely get them to and from your celebrations. They may tire out quickly and have to be taken home early. Be prepared. If they have diaper issues, you'll need to make sure you have plenty and bring a change of clothing along-- just in case.
Make sure you plan for toileting every couple of hours and if someone has to assist, add that to the to-do list to enlist someone to help. Perhaps they will need some assistance with eating or need their food cut up, chopped or even pureed. Allow time for this and assign someone to assist with this. Make sure you have any medications that need to be taken during their outing. And plan for bad weather causing you to get shut in.
The holidays can also be a time to reminisce and make sure that stories and traditions get handed down. Ask them about their childhood, where they lived and went to school. When did they marry? What kind of work did they do? Where did they live? what did they do for entertainment (before television, video games and the internet!!)? Maybe have a video camera running in the background to capture some of these moments. And be sure to always take lots of family group photos. Make lots of memories, as they help keep loved ones alive in our hearts when they are gone.
Take time for yourself, and remember that there is NO SUCH THING as a perfect holiday. Being with the ones we love and enjoying their company and a few laughs is the perfection you can expect. The best holidays are the ones that everyone remembers, and they often stand out for their imperfections! So relax and enjoy!!
Photo by monmart
