Top 10 Tips for Caregiving During the Holidays

This is a helpful list, by Alzheimers.net, to review as the Holidays season gets closer. I would like to add an important tip that has been frequently discussed at the various support groups that I facilitate in the New England area: as a caregiver it is important to give yourself permission to grieve. This is a vital part of the healing process and can be expressed in different ways, i.e crying, talking to oneself out loud, and writing excessively to name a few. Grieving the loss of the role your loved one had prior to memory impairment is difficult to accept at times, and the holidays can often bring that emotion very powerful into our minds. If you are a caregiver please give yourself permission to grieve because it will help you to accept the role you are now being asked (directly or indirectly) to fulfill for your loved one. This will bring acceptance and peace.