Why a little extra companionship at home could make all the difference this festive season
Christmas can be a wonderful time of year, but it can also be one of the busiest and most demanding.
For families who help look after an older parent, the festive period can bring an additional layer of pressure. Alongside the usual shopping, cooking, present buying and family arrangements, there is the ongoing responsibility of making sure Mum or Dad is safe, comfortable and not feeling alone at home.
And sometimes, it can feel as though there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
When Christmas leaves you stretched in every direction
If you are the person who regularly checks in on an older parent, you will probably recognise the feeling.
You want to make sure they have everything they need. You want to visit, have a proper conversation, help with the shopping, check the heating is working and make sure they have enough food in the fridge.
But Christmas brings extra demands of its own.
There may be children and grandchildren to organise, work commitments to finish, family members travelling from different parts of the country and a house to prepare for the celebrations. Even the simplest jobs seem to take longer.
And while you are busy looking after everyone else, there may be a growing concern about the person who is spending more time at home alone.
Are they getting out? Have they got somebody to talk to? Are they managing with the everyday jobs? Will they be alright if you cannot visit as often as you normally would?
It is perfectly understandable to feel worried.
The worry and guilt that often go unnoticed
For many people, looking after an older parent is something they simply get on with. It is part of family life, and they do it because they care.
But caring responsibilities can be emotionally demanding, particularly when you are trying to balance them with your own family, work and other commitments.
You might feel guilty when you cannot visit as often as you would like. You may find yourself worrying when you are away, even when you are trying to enjoy time with your own family.
And perhaps the hardest part is knowing that your parent would benefit from a little more company and support, but feeling that you should be able to provide it all yourself.
The truth is, you do not have to do everything alone.
Arranging some additional companionship at home can be a positive way to make sure your parent has another friendly face to look forward to, while giving you a little more breathing space.
Why arrange companionship around Christmas?
A planned home visit can provide more than just a friendly conversation.
Having somebody pop in for a chat, share a cup of tea, help prepare a light meal or offer a little practical support can make a real difference to someone’s day.
For an older person who spends much of their time at home, knowing that somebody is coming to visit can provide something to look forward to. It can also help maintain familiar routines and provide an opportunity to talk about how they are feeling.
For family members, knowing that somebody has called in can offer valuable reassurance, particularly when work, travel and family commitments make it difficult to be there as often as they would like.
You might consider arranging a visit:
- Before Christmas, to help your parent feel prepared and have some company during the busy run-up.
- In the days after Christmas, when normal routines are beginning to return but you may still have other commitments.
- At regular intervals over the festive period, if a little additional companionship would be helpful.
The right arrangement will depend on the individual, their preferences and the support they would find most useful.
A little help can make Christmas easier for everyone
At Wellbeing Homecare Services, we understand that support at home is about more than completing a list of household jobs.
Sometimes it is about having someone to talk to. Sometimes it is help preparing lunch, a little assistance with shopping or simply having a friendly person spend some time with you.
Companionship and home help can be shaped around the individual, their usual routines and the things that matter to them.
If you are already supporting an older parent, arranging some additional help does not mean stepping away from your responsibilities. It means bringing another caring person into the picture.
It can help your parent feel less alone, while giving you the reassurance that somebody else is there to offer a little support when you cannot be.
Don’t wait until you feel overwhelmed
If you are beginning to look at the Christmas calendar and wondering how you are going to fit everything in, now is a good time to start thinking about additional support.
A conversation with a homecare provider can help you understand what options may be available, whether you are looking for an occasional visit, companionship or a little practical help at home.
It is worth discussing your requirements early, particularly if you are hoping to arrange visits around specific dates over Christmas and New Year. Availability will need to be confirmed in advance.
You do not need to have everything worked out before making that first enquiry. Sometimes it is simply helpful to talk through what would make life easier for you and your parent.
Give yourself and your parent a little more peace of mind this Christmas
Christmas should be a time when families can enjoy being together, not a period spent constantly worrying about whether everything is being taken care of.
A little extra companionship could make a meaningful difference to an older person staying at home, and to the family member who wants to know they are being looked after.
If you would like to explore companionship or home help for someone you love in Derby and the surrounding areas, speak to the team at Wellbeing Homecare Services.
Call the Derby team on 01332 527 543 to discuss the support you may need over the festive period.
A little help at home. A little more peace of mind for everyone.
Find out more about home help in Derby
If caring is becoming harder to manage, talk to Wellbeing Homecare Services about how additional support could help. 👉 Get in touch today for friendly, no-obligation advice or home visit
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