How Can You Prepare for the Holidays If a Loved One May Need More Help at Home?
Blog

How Can You Prepare for the Holidays If a Loved One May Need More Help at Home?

grandmaserving.png

You can prepare for the holidays in three steps: notice changes in memory, mobility, meals and the home during your visit, talk with your loved one calmly about a plan, and line up support before you need it. For families in Phoenix and Tempe, BrightStar Care of Phoenix and Tempe offers overnight and 24/7 care with RN oversight and no minimum hours. This guide gives you a holiday visit checklist, home safety tips, conversation starters and local resources.

What should you notice during a holiday visit?

Look for changes in memory, personal care, meals, medications, mood and the condition of the home. A holiday visit is often the longest time you spend with a loved one in months, so it is when many families first notice changes. The Alzheimer's Association says the holidays may be the first time families notice memory or behavior changes in an older loved one. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) adds that a person with depression may brighten up for a short visit, but serious mood problems are harder to hide during a longer one.

Use this checklist:

  • Memory and thinking: repeated questions, confusion about dates, poor decisions or personality changes
  • Personal care: not bathing regularly, or wearing clothing that does not fit the weather
  • Meals: little food in the house, or spoiled food in the refrigerator
  • Medications: missing prescriptions, or confusion about when to take them
  • The home: unopened mail, unpaid bills, clutter, or a home that is less clean than usual
  • Mobility: holding on to walls or furniture, or trouble getting up from a chair
  • Mood: pulling away from friends and activities, or seeming sad most days

Occasional forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, according to NIA. More significant memory problems, changes in thinking or personality, or poor decision making can point to a condition that needs medical attention. One sign is not a diagnosis, and patterns across several areas matter more.

How can you check home safety before guests arrive?

Walk through the home with your loved one and fix the most common fall hazards first. Unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury related death among Arizona residents 65 and older, accounting for an average of two deaths every day, according to the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition. Holiday decorations and extra guests can add new hazards.

  • Add night lights along the path from the bedroom to the bathroom
  • Remove loose rugs, or secure them firmly to the floor
  • Keep cords from lights and decorations out of walkways
  • Leave wide, clear paths for guests and for any walker or cane
  • Ask a family member, not your loved one, to climb ladders or stools to hang decorations
  • Check handrails on entry steps and add bright lighting at doors
  • Keep supportive shoes or slippers with grip within reach

If you notice your loved one holding on to furniture or walls, or struggling to get up from a chair, write it down and mention it to their doctor.

How do you start the conversation without causing conflict?

Pick a calm moment, share one specific observation, and ask a question before offering solutions. NIA recommends mentioning your worry without sounding critical, and then trying to fulfill your loved one's wishes as much as possible.

  1. Observe first and write it down. Notes help you describe what you saw instead of making general statements.
  2. Compare notes with family. Ask siblings and relatives who see your loved one often what they have noticed.
  3. Choose a calm, private moment. AARP family caregiving expert Amy Goyer suggests natural openings such as a walk or a car ride, and explaining to your parent why you are bringing it up.
  4. Start with one observation and a question. For example: "Mom, I noticed the refrigerator is nearly empty. Is getting to the store getting harder?"
  5. Include your loved one in decisions. Offer practical options and let them choose what feels right.
  6. Suggest a doctor visit for health or memory concerns. Offer to make the appointment or go along.

Thursday, November 26 is Thanksgiving, which the U.S. Surgeon General has designated as National Family History Day. The Surgeon General's office encourages families to discuss and write down health history at Thanksgiving. You can use the same moment to gather current information too: your loved one's conditions, medications, doctors and emergency contacts.

What local help is available in Phoenix and Tempe?

You can call a helpline or join a caregiver event before you make any decisions.

  • Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900. It is available every day, including holidays, for questions about memory concerns and how to talk with a loved one.
  • Area Agency on Aging, Region One 24 Hour Senior HELP LINE: 602-264-4357. It connects older adults and caregivers in Maricopa County with programs and services. Its Family Caregiver Support Program offers respite care, case management, education and support groups. Eligibility requirements apply.
  • Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition: fall prevention education and resources at azstopfalls.org
  • Caregiver Coffee Cafe: Friday, November 20, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Legacy Place, 360 E. Coronado Rd., Phoenix (Care 4 the Caregivers)
  • Caregivers After Dark: Sunday, November 22, 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, virtual (Care 4 the Caregivers)

Event details come from organizer listings and can change. Confirm dates, times and registration with each organizer before you attend.

When should you consider overnight or 24/7 care?

Consider it when your loved one should not be alone at night, when family cannot cover every hour, or when you notice several changes at once. Common situations include:

  • Changes in more than one area, such as memory, mobility, meals and home safety
  • A fall or a near fall
  • A recent return home from a hospital or rehab stay
  • Worry about nighttime bathroom trips or being home alone overnight
  • Relatives who are leaving after the holidays, or a family caregiver who is exhausted

How does BrightStar Care of Phoenix and Tempe help families?

We provide overnight and 24/7 care in Phoenix and Tempe, with RN oversight, an individualized care plan and no minimum hours.

  • Overnight and 24/7 care: Care at night and around the clock when needed, so you or your loved one are not left without help when guests go home.
  • RN oversight: A Registered Nurse visits the home, assesses your loved one's needs, writes an individualized care plan, trains the caregiver on that specific client, and revisits to update the plan as needs change.
  • No minimum hours: Start with as little as one hour and adjust over time.
  • Trusted caregivers: Every caregiver is a W-2 employee who is background checked, trained and insured.
  • Accreditation: BrightStar Care is Joint Commission Accredited.
  • Payment: BrightStar Care of Phoenix and Tempe is private pay.

Frequently asked questions

What are the signs an aging parent needs help during a holiday visit?

Look for changes in memory, personal care, meals, medications, mood, mobility and the condition of the home. Patterns across several areas matter more than one sign.

Is forgetfulness normal aging or a sign of dementia?

Occasional forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. More significant memory problems, changes in thinking or personality, or poor decision making should be checked by a doctor. A holiday checklist is not a diagnosis.

How do I talk to my parent about needing help?

Choose a calm, private moment, share one specific observation, ask a question, and include your parent in decisions. Offer to go along to a doctor visit if there are health or memory concerns.

Does BrightStar Care of Phoenix and Tempe offer overnight care?

Yes. BrightStar Care of Phoenix and Tempe offers overnight and 24/7 care with RN oversight and an individualized care plan for you or your loved one.

Is there a minimum number of hours?

No. BrightStar Care of Phoenix and Tempe has no minimum hours. You can start with as little as one hour and adjust over time.

Where can I get advice outside business hours?

The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 is available every day, including holidays. The Area Agency on Aging, Region One 24 Hour Senior HELP LINE is 602-264-4357

Talk with BrightStar Care of Phoenix and Tempe

If you or your loved one need support this holiday season, call 480-897-1166 or visit brightstarcare.com/locations/phoenix-tempe. We serve Phoenix, Tempe, Goodyear, Casa Grande, Arcadia, Maricopa and Buckeye.

Sources