For many of us, this time of the year is celebrated with family gatherings. In fact, you may have just returned from visiting with loved ones. Or you may be planning a celebration in the next few weeks. This can be a fantastic opportunity to connect and check in with one another, especially those who are older adults.
“It’s an appropriate time of the year to share gratitude. And we are grateful for all of the members of the U-M community who provide care to young and old alike,” states Barb Mulay, manager, U-M Work-Life Resource Center. “As you plan for winter visits, this is not only an opportunity to warmly reconnect but also a time to notice a change in an older loved one’s well-being.”
For many of us with aging relatives and friends, our points of contact are often by phone or video calls, especially due to COVID-19 challenges. If you are planning an in-person visit, you may become suddenly aware of changes in your loved one’s living condition or outward appearance. This Aging Care article outlines key things to keep an eye out for when visiting.
“The pandemic and social distancing have increased feelings of isolation and strain. And that can be especially true around the holidays,” adds Mulay. “It’s definitely something that we hear frequently at this time of the year.”
This Aging Care Article offers 10 tips for reducing loneliness in elders around the holidays. Additionally, this article offers more suggestions for “Combatting the Epidemic of Loneliness in Seniors.”
See More Articles in the Elder Care Support Series
You can find a collection of resources on the Work-Life Resource Center website Additionally, you can review the Elder Care Support Series of UHR News articles:
- Getting Started
- Creating a Care Giver Plan
- Long Distance Caregiving
- Signs and Stages of Dementia
- Additional In-Home Care Support
- Is it time for Residential Care
- Tips for Financial and Legal Decision Making
We hope this information provides a good starting place as you embark upon the journey of adult family caregiving.
