Caregiver Stress During the Holidays: Taking a Vacation from Caregiving

 

 

Caregiver Stress During the Holidays--Taking a Vacation from Caregiving

On Monday, we talked about a few ways to manage your stress during the holidays through proper time management. As a caregiver, taking on double or even triple duty can put a lot of stress not only on you, but on your aging parent as well.

The holiday season should be a time to de-stress. Aside from spending time with your family, many people also take the opportunity to vacation during the holidays.

Despite what you may think, caregivers can also take a little vacation from caring for their loved ones. With plenty of respite-care programs now available (both in-home and at a facility), caregivers can now step away and enjoy some much-needed vacation time.

Today, we’re going to talk about why a vacation is good for you, and a few vacation options to consider. But before we do that, let’s address a common misconception:

Is it selfish to plan a vacation without your aging parent.

This question seems to come up a lot when considering a vacation away caregiving, so we thought we would talk this before we begin giving you options.

In short, no, taking a vacation away from caring for your loved ones is not selfish. As we mentioned in the past, having a little me-time is necessary when it comes to caregiving. Not only is it important for your own health, physically and mentally, but it also helps to maintain a positive relationship between you and your loved one. Taking the time to recuperate can do wonders for you and your loved one.

With that out of the way, here are some vacation tips we have for you:

  • Make it short and sweet. While it might be nice to take a long vacation, that’s not always possible. Think about short weekend trips to somewhere nearby. The shorter the flying/driving time the better. This may not be as nice as a long vacation, but still gives you a much-needed break and the time to get away from caregiver stress.
  • Consider a stay-cation. Just because you’re taking a vacation doesn’t mean it needs to be out of town. A stay-cation can be a great way to get out of the house for a few days. Perhaps a few days at a spa or hotel in a part of town you rarely visit is all you need to rejuvenate. And, being just a phone call away from your parents can put them at ease, making it much easier for you to enjoy your break.
  • Elder-friendly traveling. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your parents at home, consider taking them on a trip with you. There are plenty of travel options now, such as cruises, that accommodate the elderly, giving you and your parents the ability to relax and enjoy yourselves.

Everyone deserves a good rest every once in a while. Taking the time out of your busy life to de-stress can do a lot to improve your health, and most importantly, the quality of care for a loved one.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about any of the information above, please feel free to contact us. We’d love to help make this holiday season (and many to come) as stress-free as possible!

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

photo credit: Swami Stream via photopin cc

“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”