December 28, 2018

10 Reasons Why Helping a Family Caregiver Will Be the Best Thing You Do This Holiday Season

The holiday season is in full swing. Have you written your list and checked it twice? There’s another item to add to this years’ Holiday To-Do List: Help a family caregiver.

Chances are you know someone, either in your family or in your circle of friends, who cares for someone with a chronic illness or life-limiting disease. Your help, which could be just one hour out of your weekend, could be the highlight of the season. Here’s why:

1.     When you help an individual who cares for a family member, you make a difference. You can make the day easier for someone who has more difficult days than easy ones.

2.     Doing ‘good’ for others does ‘good’ for you. Studies show that volunteering makes you happy.

3.     The act of caregiving — giving care to another — embraces life’s meaning. You’ll see the good in life when you spend time helping someone.

4.     When you leave a family caregiver’s house, two people — the caregiver and their loved one — will know you were there and they’ll remember you with a warm glow for days after.

5.     Because you give an hour or two, a family caregiver gains an hour or two of respite. 

6.     Your help will ease a family caregiver’s worry during a time when too many worries mean too little sleep.

7.     Helping another helps you achieve better health. Studies show that those who volunteer to help others have better health than those who don’t.

8.     Your help doesn’t require training or studying or practicing. In order to be of help, you just have to show up with a smile and a willing heart.

9.     Giving back when you’ve received so much means you’ll continue to receive.

10.   You are meant to enjoy life. And, you’ll enjoy life more when you know you’ve improved the day for two people.

What can you do to help? Here are a few suggestions:

1.     Clean out the refrigerator

2.     Make and freeze meals to last a week

3.     Wash windows

4.     Pick up or make deliveries

5.     Put up holiday decorations, wrap gifts

6.     Clean the car

7.     Catch up on laundry

8.     Mop floors

9.     Organize closets

10.   Re-arrange furniture

11.   Remove stains on furniture and in carpeting

12.   Do the grocery shopping

Need help for yourself or someone in your care? For more information, call us at (855) 867-4692 or click here for more about hospice EveryStep Hospice or home care options EveryStep Home Care.

EveryStep Hospice and Home Care provide care and support to patients, family members and their caregivers through chronic or serious illness, recovery or rehabilitation. Our experienced and compassionate staff can assist family caregivers in understanding the importance of nutrition, exercise, social ties, mental and spiritual health, and how all these things can contribute to wellbeing for individuals of all ages