The holidays are a magical time, but they can also be stressful—just ask any parent or family caregiver! There are plenty of logistics to organize, from who’s buying the presents and cooking the turkey to how senior family members will travel to and from family gatherings (and if they can’t travel, when you’ll visit and how to make them feel included in holiday celebrations). Even when things go well, it’s a lot to manage—especially if you also have young children at home.
If you’re taking a vacation over the holidays, this may create added anxiety around caring for aging loved ones. Unfortunately, no matter how much family caregivers deserve to take that warm weather vacation or trip to visit a friend in another province, many plans fall through because family caregivers are dealing with stress, guilt or logistical challenges. Many of the families we work with hire Personal Support Workers to assist with bathing, dressing and other Activities of Daily Living throughout the week, but they still play a key role in their loved one’s care. For these family caregivers, holiday travel isn’t as simple as booking a flight and taking off into the sunset—they have to consider the impact on their aging loved one and in most cases, arrange for alternative care.
Extended family may be able to help—for example, a relative can pick up your loved one’s prescriptions, take them to a medical appointment or deliver groceries—but in many cases, that extended family support simply isn’t there. Even when it is available, additional support is often required. This is particularly true if more than one family member is traveling over the holidays.
We understand these challenges, and we’re here to help. Living Assistance Services in Toronto is pleased to offer high quality respite care that ensures your loved one’s safety, wellness and comfort during your time away. Our caregivers can provide stability and joyful companionship, stepping in to fill the gaps while you’re on a well-deserved break from caregiving. Respite care can be booked part-time, all day or even 24 hours a day—we personalize each schedule to your needs. You can choose to communicate with our caregivers throughout your trip, or create some space for yourself while another family member stands by as an emergency contact. Our priority is your loved one’s care, and your priority should be to enjoy a stress-free time away.
Contact us to learn more
Whether you’re an existing client or someone who’s been considering homecare services for an aging loved one, we’d be glad to discuss your respite care needs for the holiday season. While we aim to provide care to everyone who calls, the holiday season is an in-demand time of year for caregivers and we recommend making arrangements with our team as early as possible. Please contact us to get started—we look forward to hearing from you!