Planning care for your loved ones at Christmas

Christmas should be a joyous time of year, a period where we share time with our families and take a break from the stresses of everyday life. However, for the elderly and those needing care it can be a difficult period unless the right plans are put into place to ensure they have a safe, warm and comfortable festive season.

This year with the news about the increased virulence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant it may be an especially worrying time, so it is especially important to have the right plans in place to support your elderly or vulnerable relatives

The team at Right at Home, Maidenhead can help ensure your loved one is well looked after over the Christmas period. There is still time to make arrangements for our CareGivers to assist across the region including Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley and Windsor, so if you feel your loved one won’t be able to cope please call. In the meantime there are some simple steps you can take.

Going Away

If you’re going away and won’t be able to visit during Christmas, make sure to tell your relative gently but in plenty of time before your departure. It could be that they were looking forward to spending the day with you so it’s important to be sensitive.

Discover what your relative would like to do and if there are friends or other relatives they would like to spend time with and then help them to make plans.

Most elderly people enjoy companionship at this time of year, and this is an area where home care can help, so consider calling us to see how we can assist.

Remember CareGivers can provide a range of services that will help to alleviate loneliness while giving a high standard of personal care, and not just in the home. Some of our CareGivers for example take their clients Christmas shopping, to Carol services, Christmas Fairs or just to visit a friend for a cup of tea.

If you are going away and don’t have home care arrangements, you should think about:

• Checking the boiler – make sure it is fully working so they can stay warm
• Ensure there are no hazards in the house where they could trip and fall
• Make sure there is plenty of food in the house
• Check that they have all the medication they need while you are away
• Give them a list of emergency contact numbers
• Tell a neighbour and ask if they can pop-in occassionally

Including your relative on Christmas Day

The most important thing to mention is that if your relative will be visiting you, or you them you should make sure you are Covid safe.

It is important to be fully vaccinated, including the booster jab but you and everyone who will come into contact with your relative should take a Lateral Flow Test to ensure you are all negative before you meet. It will be give you and your relative reassurance.

You should think about:

• Transport – what time will they be picked up, who will be doing it and who will take them home again.

• Activities – remember they may not want to play games, though could be content to watch, but you could consider looking through old photos with them to help them engage with the family.

• Music – if you’re having a Christmas playlist make sure to include some songs that they enjoy.

• Somewhere quiet – make sure there is a comfortable chair in a quiet spot where they can go for a rest should they become tired or overwhelmed by celebrations.

If your elderly relative already receives Home Care

Your relative may already receive home care from one of our Care Givers and we are proactive about finding out if any special arrangements are needed over the festive period, however we would encourage you to contact us so we are aware of any arrangements you are making for them to spend time with your family.

It may be that our Care Giver can pop into help at your home, if you live locally, to assist with tasks such as medication and personal care. Please ask us well in advance.

Wishing you a safe and Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year

If your elderly relative can’t be with you at Christmas one of the Right at Home, Maidenhead Care Givers can help them to have a safe, comfortable and happy Christmas. If you need to know more and discuss just how we can help give us a call on 01628 200068.