The holidays can be a busy time of the year, and with the stress of planning family events and preparing meals, it can be overwhelming to find last-minute care for a senior loved one. Sometimes plans fall through, emergencies arise, or your go-to caretaker may be unavailable. When this happens, it's imperative to have a backup plan.
At Senior Helpers McKinney, we understand the importance of senior care during these chaotic and fun times of the year. If your favorite caretaker isn't accessible for some reason and you're looking for in-home senior care during the holiday season, here are a few ways to prepare and find in-home care for your senior loved one.
Communicate Early On
Holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah happen around the same time every year. It is easier to communicate holiday hours early on to determine if you'll need to find a backup caretaker. Caretakers need time with their families, too. By bringing up the holiday schedule in advance, you can reduce the stress of finding reliable last-minute care should your favorite caretaker be unavailable to look after your senior parents.
Be Understanding of Burnout
Caretaker burnout is real. Especially during the holiday season when everyone is looking to spend time with their family, trying to shop for gifts, and rushing around to make sure everything is perfect for those festive events. Caretakers are no exception to the holiday spirit but are often expected to work extra long hours (or extra days) while trying to find time to celebrate with their loved ones.
This situation can lead to work burnout, and they may even want to take vacation time to travel or spend time with their own families. That's completely understandable and valid. If they want to take that time off to enjoy the holidays with their loved ones, being understanding can go a long way. While offering holiday pay is excellent, it's not always the solution.
Offer Flexible Hours
Your favorite caretaker may not be available on the actual dates of major holidays, but they might be free a few days before and after. If this is the case, work with your siblings and family to offer some flexibility in the schedule. Not only can this ensure your go-to caretaker can enjoy the holiday season just as much as you are, but it's a great way to make some extra memories with your senior loved ones. It can be a great chance to make an extra meal to enjoy together, watch some festive movies, or spend time bonding.
Finding In-Home Senior Care
If your go-to caretaker isn't available during the holidays, don't fret. Contact us at Senior Helpers McKinney for great companion care during this busy season. We've got you covered when you need reliable personal care in-home to tackle that holiday to-do list. Senior Helpers serves McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Prosper, and Wylie.