Most people will become caregivers, or need one, at some point. We know that cognitive and memory impairments can change how a person thinks, acts, and feels. These changes often present special challenges for families and caregivers. They may need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, assistance with dressing, transferring from bed to a chair or wheelchair, toileting, or other personal care. This is where extra care or support is needed. If the family doesn’t live close, they may need to hire outside services to come in and assist with care and companionship.

At Caring Friends In-Home Care, they are there to help assist with daily needs. Their caregivers encourage participation and engagement as much as possible. This is what they call collaborative caregiving. The goal is to develop a relationship with clients and help keep them physically and mentally active.

Caring Friends believes In-Home Care is more than just completing tasks on a list — they offer personalized care that helps clients enjoy their time and improve their quality of life. By focusing on collaborative caregiving, Caring Friends can elevate the quality of clients and their families’ lives.

“With the fast-approaching holiday season upon us, we know that this time of year is all about spending a great time with family and friends, enjoying great food, and creating memories,” said Jill Strouf, LPN, Caring Friends case manager. “Although the season can be joyous for most of us, many seniors may find the holiday season confusing, hectic, and even depressing based on their health conditions. The season tends to carry several changes to daily routines and, these shifts can stress seniors out too.”

The good news is that we can help and support our loved ones in overcoming these conditions by following some helpful tips from Jill like including your family member in the holiday event or meal planning, making some of their favorite meals using their recipes, guiding a life review by looking at family photo albums, reviving old family traditions, and keeping your loved one involved.