The holidays are a time for visiting your family, catching up with old friends, and spending quality time with those closest to you. It’s also the perfect opportunity to check in on your parents and make sure they’re doing well. To help you prepare for this visit, we’ve compiled our top 10 tips for an enjoyable trip home:
1) Take care of yourself
Eat right, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly before going home. You’ll be more energized to keep up with your busy schedule when you’re there!
2) Speak directly
When talking about their health or other sensitive topics try not to use euphemisms but instead speak plainly about what’s happening so that it is clear.
3) Listen carefully
Don’t jump to conclusions about what your parents may be thinking or feeling. Ask open-ended questions and really listen to the answers they give you.
4) Don’t take things personally
Your parents’ set ways can be frustrating, but don’t let it get you down. If something upsets you, try not to let it show. Take a few deep breaths and think of the good times before responding in anger or with hurt feelings.
5) Respect their wishes
They know best so respect their decisions, even if they seem strange or different than what YOU would do.
6) Be realistic
Of course everyone wants there to be clear communication between generations, but keep in mind that hearing loss often changes how people communicate. Your parents may be less likely to ask for help or opinions, making them appear stubborn. They might also say “yes” when they mean “no” because it’s easier than asking for clarification.
7) Try not to compare
Your parent and their home is hardly like your own; try not to judge them on how tidy/messy their house is or what they’ve done with the room you used as a child. The items in their homes may look different than yours, but that doesn’t mean they’re worse off than you are.
8) Respect the family dynamic
Accept your place within the family and realize that your parents will have preferences over who takes care of them and how things get done at home .
9) Let them know what is important to you
Make sure your parents know how much they mean to you and be as specific as possible about the things that matter most.
10) Don’t forget yourself!
As tempting as it may be, when visiting family don’t put all your focus on your parents’ care. Remember to take care of yourself . A healthy lifestyle will leave you better prepared for whatever the future holds .
11) Are they getting enough sleep?
Are they eating the foods that are best for them? Are they taking their medication on time? Are there any red flags you should be aware of that can help prevent a crisis?
And remember.. If your parents live far away and need additional care, consider hiring a caregiver like The Kindness Team to help provide the loving assistance they need .
The holiday season is here, and many families will spend it apart. With work, travel schedules or other obligations, we’re not always able to be with our loved ones when we want to be. But helping them maintain independence when we cannot physically be there is another way in which we can show our love – by providing professional in-home care.
12) Do they have the equipment or medication management support they need?
Our number one goal is to help your parents maintain their independence. That’s why we’d like to offer you a free 30-minute consultation with an in-home care specialist from M&Y Care LLC to discuss how we can help make this holiday season special and safe for your loved ones .
These tips will help ensure that everyone has a happy holiday!
Do some research ahead of time so you can prepare questions and concerns in advance. Also, plan a get together with friends or family members during the visit so you aren’t spending too much time just visiting with your parents. Spend a few hours each day making sure they’re getting enough exercise and socializing, but then spend the rest of your day relaxing and having fun.
A little preparation and planning before hand could make for a great visit with family over the holidays!
Conclusion : What are your thoughts on these tips? Let us know in the comments below!