Safe holiday travel tips for family caregivers

Halloween is more than a night when little goblins and ghosties ring our doorbells looking for goodies; it also signifies the start of the holiday season.Many of us will travel with loved ones we care for or have relatives visit us in the next two months. These visits can either represent a ghoulishly frightening experience or be a real pleasure.

As in all things regarding caregiving, preparation is the key to success.  If you are traveling to other people’s homes, make sure they understand your concerns about your loved one’s safety.  Will throw rugs need to be stored, beds moved or holiday decorations organized so they will not present opportunities for a fall? Do you know where the durable medical equipment store is in your hosts’ neighborhood?   If your friends and family members are coming to stay with you, this presents a terrific opportunity to organize a holiday caregiving “reverse gift list,” asking for gifts that would be helpful to you as you care for your loved one.

For example, if your nephew who is handy with tools will be coming to your house for the holidays, let him know that a really useful gift would be for him to fix that squeaky door or even change the oil in the car. Or you could ask your sister to sit with your dad while you read a few chapters of a novel or even disappear for an afternoon.

Holidays offer a great opportunity for realistic family meetings about how your loved one is faring. It will be up to you to make sure the session remains nonconfrontational. Deep breaths and counting to 10 help.

In the next few weeks, take some time to work with your loved ones to help plan for a successful holiday season.

Gary Barg is founder and editor-in-chief of Today’s Caregiver magazine and caregiver.com, and author of “The Fearless Caregiver.” Contact him at gary@caregiver.com. The first Fearless Caregiver at Sea cruise will be Jan. 4-8, 2011.

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