According to The Senior Source Board Member Dr. Amanpreet Randazzo, PsyD,
“While we may all be familiar with the flight attendant’s instructions ‘in the event of an emergency, secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others,’ it’s likely that most of us think of it as a directive for caring for our children. Yet the same holds true when caring for aging loved ones. In order to best care for others, we must practice self-care—a task that can prove especially challenging during the busy holiday months.
“At The Senior Source, our holiday wish for those in the caregiving role is that you remember to care for yourself. You can reduce possible burnout and increase holiday happiness by following these simple tips:
- “If your holiday ‘to do’ list keeps you from enjoying the season, re-evaluate and determine items you can eliminate or assign to others. Make it in order of priority and scratch off items as they get done to ensure a sense of achievement and the motivation to keep going.
- “Prioritize eating well and getting enough sleep. Not doing so can lead to fatigue, irritability and increased stress.
- “Me Time: any form of exercise to clear your mind will give you the ability to maintain your attention and concentration that you will need to keep going. Mindful exercises, yoga, tai chi, or deep breathing exercises are all a great way achieve this. There are various apps to guide you through any of these techniques.
- “Find support and solutions through The Senior Source’s Caregiver Support program.
“The Caregiver Support program is just one of the many services The Senior Source provides to ensure the well-being of older adults and their loved ones. Our services are provided free of charge, thanks to the benevolence of our generous community. As one in four of us will be caregivers at some point, our wish is also that you consider making a gift to ensure we’re able to support the caregivers both of today and tomorrow. For more information please visit www.TheSeniorSource.org
* Graphic/photo provided by The Senior Source