Relieve the stress of caregiving during the holiday season

Managing caregiving responsibilities alongside holiday expectations can lead to increased stress and burnout. It is vital that caregivers prioritize their well-being during the holiday season.

relieve caregiver stress hero img caring hands

As the holidays approach, many people look forward to spending time with family and friends to celebrate. However, caregivers of people living with dementia may experience a mix of emotions, reflecting on changes in the person's condition and memories from the past. Managing caregiving responsibilities alongside holiday expectations can lead to increased stress and burnout. It is vital that caregivers prioritize their well-being during the holiday season. 

Signs of caregiver stress 

For example: 

  • Emotional responses: Denial, anger, anxiety and depression. 
  • Social connections: A loss of interest in connecting with friends or participating in their favourite activities; difficulty concentrating or solving problems. 
  • Physical symptoms: Exhaustion, poor quality of sleep and frequent illness and chronic health problems. 

Recognizing caregiver stress is crucial, as it is the first step toward taking action. If you are a caregiver and experiencing these symptoms, call the First Link® Dementia Helpline to talk about how you are feeling and reach out to your doctor to discuss the symptoms.

caring hands and First Link Dementia Helpline phone number display

Seven ways to reduce the stress of caregiving 

  1. Be realistic: During the holiday season, it is especially important to be realistic about both dementia and your own abilities to manage caregiver stress. Understanding how dementia progresses can help you adjust your expectations for holiday gatherings and family traditions. Be honest about how much you can manage and prioritize what matters most — whether it is spending meaningful time with the person you care for or scheduling time for yourself. 
  2. Accept and share your feelings: While caregiving for a person living with dementia, you may experience a range of emotions from joy, anger or guilt. These feelings are completely normal. Acknowledge them and remind yourself that you are doing the best you can. Don’t hesitate to share how you feel with a trusted friend, family member or support group member. This will relieve some of the pressure, allowing you to feel more supported during a busy holiday. 
  3. Share information: Sharing information about dementia with family and friends can help them understand what you are going through and prepare them to offer their support.  
  4. Be positive: Focusing on the positive — what the person living with dementia can still do, rather than dwelling on what’s been lost — can make holiday moments more enjoyable. While dementia is serious, finding humour in your situation can be a helpful coping strategy, lightening the mood. 
  5. Take care of yourself: Don’t neglect your well-being! Eat properly, exercise and find time to relax. Plan breaks from caregiving before you feel too exhausted and simplify holiday traditions to make things more manageable. Maintain your hobbies and stay connected with friends and family to prevent loneliness and isolation. By taking care of yourself, you will be better equipped to provide care and avoid burnout during this busy time. 
  6. Look for support: Choose the type of support that works best for you, for example, talking to a professional, joining a support group or sharing your feelings with trusted friends. Holiday gatherings can also be an ideal time to delegate caregiving tasks for a short break or have open conversations with family about sharing responsibilities. Don’t hesitate to ask for help with things like shopping or cooking and be sure to schedule time to relax and slow down amidst the holiday bustle. 
  7. Plan ahead: Plan gatherings around the best times for the person living with dementia, which may be earlier in the day to avoid tiredness. Smaller gatherings with more time between visits can also help prevent overstimulation, while having a quiet room for breaks can be beneficial. Encourage the person to participate in simple tasks like setting the table or decorating to make them feel included. Reminiscing with photos, seasonal music and familiar dishes can create meaningful connections while reducing stress for everyone. If they are in long-term care, check for special holiday activities.

Upcoming education and social programming 

Understanding dementia and its impact can empower us to better navigate these challenges. Education and social programming offer valuable resources that can help ease the caregiving process. By learning practical caregiving strategies and accessing dementia support programming, caregivers can find ways to manage their responsibilities while also caring for their own well-being. These resources provide guidance, emotional support and connections with others who understand the challenges of caregiving, making the holidays more manageable for everyone involved. 

What’s coming up: 

Check out the First Link® Bulletin in your area: 

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Age Well at Home Initiative.