Self-Care for Caregivers

For many, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. Traveling, visiting family and friends, decorating, indulging in traditions — it truly is the season for spending time with loved ones and making memories. But for family caregivers, that may not always be the case.

The holidays can take a major toll on you as a family caregiver. Care.com provides some helpful tips so you can focus on having more meaningful time with your loved ones.


Ask for and accept help It may seem like a simple task, but asking for help may not come naturally to family caregivers. Turn to those who will be around for the holidays to help out. If the thought of asking for help makes you feel uncomfortable, pay attention to those who have offered. You can always go back to those people and ask if their offer still stands.	Keep it simple Try to simplify your plans. One way to do that is to make a list of events and traditions you normally do for the holidays, then decide on the ones you actually enjoy. To help simplify things, ask yourself questions like: Is this something my loved one will enjoy? Am I doing/attending this because I feel like I have to? Will this event or activity cause me more stress? Will I get to spend quality time with my loved one?	Set boundaries While it’s important to set boundaries all the time, it’s especially important this time of year when the holidays demand more of your time and attention. That typically starts with communication. Boundary setting isn’t just for others. To better manage holiday stress, you need to set boundaries for yourself, too. It’s important to be clear with yourself about your own limits on your time and resources.

Ask for and accept help

It may seem like a simple task, but asking for help may not come naturally to family caregivers. Turn to those who will be around for the holidays to help out. If the thought of asking for help makes you feel uncomfortable, pay attention to those who have offered. You can always go back to those people and ask if their offer still stands.

Keep it simple

Try to simplify your plans. One way to do that is to make a list of events and traditions you normally do for the holidays, then decide on the ones you actually enjoy. To help simplify things, ask yourself questions like:

Is this something my loved one will enjoy?
Am I doing/attending this because I feel like I have to?
Will this event or activity cause me more stress?
Will I get to spend quality time with my loved one?

Set boundaries

While it’s important to set boundaries all the time, it’s especially important this time of year when the holidays demand more of your time and attention. That typically starts with communication. Boundary setting isn’t just for others. To better manage holiday stress, you need to set boundaries for yourself, too. It’s important to be clear with yourself about your own limits on your time and resources.

The Caregiver Foundation

The Caregiver Foundation is a Hawaii-based, non-profit organization whose mission is to provide practical and emotional support to seniors, disabled adults and their caregivers. They host a FREE monthly virtual support group for caregivers on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 4-5 pm HST. Sign up by clicking the link: https://thecaregiverfoundation.org/csg

Project Dana caregiver support group

https://www.projectdana.org/post/caregiver-support-group

Project Dana's mission is to provide compassionate support and services to Hawaii's kupuna and their caregivers. Caregiver support group meetings are being held virtually online through Zoom. Please contact Maria Morales at (808) 945-3736 or email: cgsg@projectdana.org for more information.

Special Parent Information Network (SPIN)

http://spinhawaii.org/resource-guide/support-groups/

SPIN is a parent to parent organization in Hawaii that provides information, support and referral to parents of children and young adults with disabilities and the professionals who serve them. Their array of support groups specialize in various needs. Please contact them at (808) 586-8126 or email: spin@doh.hawaii.gov for more information.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawaii

https://namihawaii.org/programs-services/

NAMI Hawaii is committed to offering community-focused education, support, and advocacy programs for family caregivers and individuals living in recovery from mental illness. Online programs require registration. Email: info@namihawaii.org for more information.

This newsletter is a joint collaboration of the DOE Central District's School Social Workers and Human Services Professionals. The purpose is to highlight information that you may find useful, and does not serve as a comprehensive list. We do not endorse any specific organization. Mahalo!

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Jennifer Nakamura

Self-Care for Caregivers

December 2022

Self-Care for Caregivers

December 2022

Ask for and accept help

Keep it simple

Set boundaries

Ask for and accept help

Keep it simple

Set boundaries

Caregiver Support Groups

The Caregiver Foundation

Project Dana caregiver support group

Special Parent Information Network (SPIN)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawaii

Connect with Jennifer Nakamura

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