10 Ways to make your Holiday Season Brighter

If you are caring for a family member, most likely you are feeling the pressure to create the perfect holiday experience for them. This stress added to the usual stress you feel can quickly lead to depression. Here are some tips to help cope with the demands of the season so that your holiday can be enjoyable and happy.

1.) Put first things first-If you always get depressed during the winter or around the holidays, see your doctor. There are therapies for this syndrome of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). See a counselor or find a friend to talk to.

2.) Simplify the season-Cut back, if you find the season overwhelming. Simplification is often the most effective tactic.

3.) Be honest with yourself and others-Be up front about what you can or can't do. Try to make people understand that your lives have changed and sometimes holidays and traditions might have to change as well.

4.) Listen to your favorite Music-Tunes can relax and help us get "into" the season. Be sure to include your favorites as well as your family's. If your loved one is in a nursing home, bring them a CD player so they can enjoy the music as well.

5.) Set soothing light-Try lighting candles with decorating for the holidays, baking treats or wrapping gifts.

6.) Get quiet time alone-Get up early, or go to bed late to find some "me" time. Take a walk, meditate or go to the gym for a quick work out.

7.) Delegate-Ask your spouse, a friend or a relative to take over some of your duties. You don't have to do everything yourself, and you will be surprised how willing others are to help out if you just ask.

8.) Remember the good times- Take time to walk down memory lane and remember your loved ones before these difficult times.

9.) Allow yourself to feel-The holidays can spotlight the things your elder can't enjoy any longer. The pain is real, allow yourself to feel it. Talk about it with other caregivers, friends or family.

10.) Let go of perfection-Life hasn't always been perfect, do the best with what you have. Take care of yourself along with others and do your best to enjoy the holiday season.

Sandwich Generation Responsibilites

Caring for your aging parents is one of the responsibilities that go along with being of the sandwich generation. Making the right decision regarding the care of your aging parent s and relatives can sometimes be difficult and will always be emotional. There are steps that can make your life a bit easier, and theirs too.


Talk to your Parents and find out about their wishes and expectations. You should discuss long-term care insurance, living arrangements, medical care, financial and estate planning.
Prepare a personal data record and collect all the information you would need if your parents were to become incapacitated or die. This information includes financial information, legal documents, medical information and accounts, insurance policies, and funeral and burial wishes or plans.


Get support and advice if you are concerned about your parent’s mental or physical capacities. You can ask their doctor for a geriatric assessment. Seek help from a geriatric manager if you can’t care for your parents yourself. Support groups, adult day care and caregiver training are available if you are their primary caregiver.


Explore long term care for your parents. It may seem like a long way off, but it’s just around the corner. Some families are able to bring aging parents into their own homes, but others are not. An alternative is to purchase long-term care insurance to help cover all or part of the costs for in-home care or assisted living facilities.


Housing Options should be considered when you are no longer able to care for your parents at home or the services of the paid in-home caregiver become inadequate.



Assisted living facilities usually offer rental rooms, housekeeping services, meals, social activities and transportation. The primary focus is social for these types of facilities and they are not equipped to provide medical care. They are often state-licensed and serve seniors who need more help than independent living communities can provide. The costs for these facilities vary.



Nursing Homes are always state-licensed facilities and offer 24 hour access to medical care at three levels. (Skilled nursing, intermediate care and custodial care) Payment options must be explored as nursing homes are expensive. Payment options to be considered are: use of personal savings, retirement plans, long-term care insurance and Medicaid.


Caring for your aging parents and ultimately making the decision on long term care will be difficult and emotional, but thorough research of options can help ease the stress associated with this process. Involving your parents in the decision making when possible can help with their acceptance of the change in living arrangement s and allow for a smoother transition.