How To Plan For In-Home Elder Care During The Holidays

The holiday season is a time for warmth, connection, and celebration, but for families providing in-home care to an elderly loved one, it can also bring added stress. Between organizing gatherings, managing travel, and balancing caregiving duties, it’s easy to feel stretched thin.

With careful preparation and the right support, the holidays can be both meaningful and manageable. Here’s how to plan ahead with Moore Care to ensure your loved one’s comfort, safety, and joy throughout the season.

1. Start With an Honest Conversation

Before making any plans, take time to talk with your loved one about their preferences for the holidays.

Ask questions like:

• Do they prefer quiet, cozy celebrations at home or larger family gatherings?
• Are there traditions they want to continue?
• How do they feel about travel or hosting visitors?

Having these conversations helps align expectations and reduce stress for everyone. It ensures that your elder care plan supports both emotional and physical well-being.

For additional communication tips, the Family Caregiver Alliance offers excellent advice on how to talk openly about care needs.

2. Coordinate With Care Providers Early

If your loved one already receives at home care, reach out to their care agency early to confirm holiday coverage and schedules. Caregivers often adjust hours during this time, so proactive coordination prevents any gaps in service.

If you’re not currently working with an agency but expect to need help, consider scheduling in-home care support in advance. Even short-term or respite care can relieve pressure and help families focus on making memories together.

Professional caregivers can assist with daily activities, meal preparation, medication reminders, or companionship, ensuring your loved one is cared for while you enjoy the season.

3. Maintain Familiar Routines

Routines bring comfort and stability, especially for seniors who may be managing dementia or chronic conditions. Try to:

• Keep regular mealtimes, medications, and bedtimes.
• Incorporate traditions into their existing schedule.
• Avoid overstimulation from loud or crowded gatherings.

Maintaining consistency helps seniors feel secure while still allowing for festive moments.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers helpful holiday planning tips for families caring for loved ones with memory loss.

4. Keep Safety a Priority

Holiday decorations and gatherings can unintentionally create hazards. Ensure your home is safe by:

• Removing clutter and tripping hazards from walkways.
• Using flameless candles instead of open flames.
• Keeping cords and decorations out of mobility paths.
• Ensuring lighting is bright, especially near stairs and hallways.

A few small adjustments protect your loved one while keeping the home cheerful and inviting.

5. Make Inclusion Meaningful

Inclusion doesn’t mean doing everything, it means being part of something. Encourage your loved one to:

• Help decorate cookies or the tree.
• Share favorite stories from past holidays.
• Enjoy music, movies, or virtual calls with family.

Even small gestures create deep connections and cherished memories.

6. Let Moore Care Help Lighten the Load

At Moore Care, we understand that caregiving is both rewarding and demanding, especially during the holidays. Our compassionate caregivers provide dependable in-home care that supports seniors while giving families peace of mind.

Whether you need full-time at home care, short-term respite, or extra help during holiday gatherings, we’re here to make the season easier. Our caregivers assist with personal care, meal prep, companionship, and more. Our goal is to ensure that your loved one feels comfortable, safe, and loved.

With Moore Care, you don’t have to do it all alone. We’re dedicated to making your holidays brighter by taking the pressure off family caregivers so everyone can enjoy what matters most—time together.

The AARP gives some great advice on how to reduce your stress levels as a family caregiver this holiday season.

Ready to plan your holiday care support?
Contact Moore Care today to learn how our professional caregivers can help your family enjoy a safe, comfortable, and joy-filled season together.