fbpx

How to Show Appreciation for Dementia Caregivers During the Holidays

Friday, November 20, 2020

Not only is November the kick-off to a happy holiday season, but it’s also National Family Caregivers Month. 2020 has been an unusual and unprecedented year for many reasons – and if you know a caregiver to someone with dementia, this year may have been especially challenging.

“Caregiving for someone with dementia is an all-encompassing task at the best of times, and with social distancing, isolation, interrupted schedules and routines and everything else, the pandemic has been incredibly difficult on seniors with dementia and their caregivers,” says Cindy Wirth, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury, a Memory Care Assisted Living community in Sudbury, MA.

According to Susan Howland, Program Director for the Alzheimer’s Association® California Southland Chapter, the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-Hour Helpline has seen a shift in the type of assistance requested during the pandemic. Callers need more emotional support, their situations are more complex and there’s a greater “heaviness” to the calls.

Cindy says that this year, more than ever, showing care and appreciation to dementia caregivers is important. “One thing we’ve learned in 2020 is the importance of connections, friendships and family,” she says. “Even if we can’t physically be near one another, there are still many ways to pass on a kind word, do a good deed or be there for someone.”

Here are some ways you can show appreciation and caring to a caregiver during this holiday season:

Use your words. It may seem like a small thing, but telling a caregiver how much they’re appreciated is a great way to brighten their day and boost their mood. We’re partial to handwritten cards, because they can be saved and re-read whenever a kind word is needed. However, texts, emails or even a quick phone call can all be a great opportunity for you to share just how much that caregiver means.

Gift a service. Caregivers have many tasks in their lives that can potentially be outsourced. By gifting a caregiver a service that handles one (or more) of these tasks, you’re giving her back valuable time – time that can be spent caring for their loved one or caring for themselves. Wondering what might be appropriate? Here’s a quick list of ideas:

  • Purchase a subscription to a grocery delivery service like Shipt or Instacart. Caregivers can order groceries from the comfort of their own home and get free delivery plus fewer fees.
  • Pay for a maid service to come to the caregiver’s home once a month to do a thorough clean.
  • A certificate or a monthly membership to a massage center can provide opportunities for monthly relaxation and pampering.
  • Depending on how close you are to the caregiver, you may offer to help pay for adult day care or transportation service. These services can provide time back to the caregiver during the week, giving her an opportunity to handle other tasks or do something nice for herself.
  • Buy a gift card to DoorDash, Grubhub or Uber Eats for a meal that the caregiver doesn’t have to cook.

Offer to watch their loved one. Even if a caregiver wants to get out, they often can’t because someone needs to watch their loved one while they’re away. One of the greatest gifts you could give a caregiver is to watch their loved one for a few hours, a day, a weekend – any time at all.

Be helpful and specific. We imagine that you (and many others) would like to provide a helping hand to the caregiver in your life, but simply don’t know where to start. Saying things like “let me know what I can do” or “tell me when you need something” is thoughtful, but it often ends up being more work for the caregiver. Instead, offer to do specific things on their behalf. Offer to go grocery shopping, or clean the house or run an errand. The caregiver may say no at first, but don’t let that deter you from continuing to ask.

Drop off a surprise. A surprise gift may just be the pick-me-up a caregiver needs. Best of all, it doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Homemade cookies, a cheery bouquet of flowers, freezer meals or anything else that would be useful or appreciated are always a welcome sight.

Ask how they’re doing – and really listen. Most, if not all, family caregivers can feel like they’re all alone and no one understands what they’re going through. Everyone needs a sympathetic ear and someone to whom they can share their emotions and feelings. If you feel comfortable enough with your caregiver, be a supportive shoulder for them. Ask them how they’re doing – really doing. Then, listen without judgement or opinion. If this feels too personal or uncomfortable, remember that a kind word, a hug or a touch on the hand can speak volumes as well.

“This holiday season will be a very different one than what we’re used to, and showing appreciation and kindness for dementia caregivers will go a long way for them,” says Cindy. “Reach out. Send a note. Many people don’t know what to say or do, but the important thing is that you are there and that you care.”

Exceptional Care & Engaging Lifestyle

Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury provides exceptional memory care in a comfortable and engaging environment. Designed specifically to support those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community delivers a wellness-focused lifestyle that respects individual preferences and abilities. Our teams receive ongoing, specialized training so they may help residents to safely exercise their independence in a secure, calm environment.

Dedicated Memory Care

Our expert dementia care and comprehensive services are tailored to meet the unique needs of our residents, wherever they are on their journey with memory loss. Our life enrichment programs are personalized to residents’ interests and abilities, providing joy and meaning in daily life and enhancing emotional well-being.

Purpose-Built Design

Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury is more than a safe, beautiful place to live; it’s truly a home, where compassionate, dementia-educated caregivers help people with memory loss live more fulfilling lives. Our research-based design features soft lighting and colors, non-glare flooring, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life-enrichment stations that empower residents to comfortably move about their home with confidence.

Contact us today to learn more.

Learn More About Bridges®

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Loading...