Grief is a natural response to loss. For a caregiver, that grief can begin during your caregiving responsibilities. In fact it often starts the day you hear of your loved one’s diagnosis.  The grieving process begins when the loss is recognized, and continues on until that loss is accepted.

The daily life of a caregiver is a life of routine and repetition. And that day-to-day sameness can wear you down. It can be exhausting and overwhelming. But that same daily regular routine is critical to our older loved one’s sense of comfort and familiarity. It’s a conundrum.

Many of us experience varying degrees of depression during the winter months due to the lack of sunshine, limited activity and a decrease in social connections. Social isolation is a serious problem with physical, mental and emotional consequences. Loneliness can accelerate cognitive decline and lead to depression and deterioration of overall health and well-being.  

With the holidays just around the corner and all the associated craziness they bring, this might be a good time to take a deep breath and get a clear picture of what you'll face as a caregiver in the next few weeks. Caring for an older loved one can be stressful and challenging in the best of times. During the holiday season, stresses and challenges can be even more overwhelming. Keeping things simple can help make life easier for both you and your loved one.

A truism in caregiving is "expect the unexpected." Being prepared and feeling a readiness for what lies ahead is an important caregiving tenet. As our older loved ones age and lose their physical and mental acuity we need to learn what resources and services are available to help make our caregiving role more manageable.