Page 16 - Mid Valley Times 12-2-21 E-edition

Thursday, December 2, 2021 | A16 | Mid Valley TiMes
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Holiday traditions sometimes have to change
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By Ro Linscheid
Christmas time for many people means
it is time to decorate the house, trim the tree, make special food and treats and visit with relatives. It is a time of excite- ment and good cheer and many plans. Here at the Sierra View Homes Retirement Campus, we hear and see the joy and smiles that Christmas and Chanukah bring to all our residents. How- ever, for caregivers of someone, who is ill or has dementia, caregiv-
ing does not take time off during the holi- days. In fact, caregiv- ing can become quite stressful.
Caregiver burn out is high over the holi- day season. Family members who pro- vide care for a loved one with dementia or chronic illness have
a lot of responsibil- ity. Then the holidays come and usually the extended family ex- pect the family tradi- tions to continue.
Holidays are busy times. Christmas and the holidays produce high levels of emo- tional stress. Isola- tion, depression and guilt can lead to a caregiver’s breakdown. Caregivers usually have neither the time nor the energy to properly celebrate special days, because they have to devote so much of their time to
caring for the chroni- cally ill. Disappoint- ment looms like a dark cloud in every room of the house when holiday decorat- ing and family tradi- tions are set aside. It is plain to see why a caregiver suffers an enormous amount of guilt during what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.
If you are a care- giver, there are ways
to relieve some stress. First, have an hon-
est conversation with your family about expectations. The family that is coming from out of town need to know they should probably stay with other family members or in a hotel. Family expectations should be addressed early to give the opportunity for family to have realistic ideas about the holi-
days. Let everyone in the family choose one easy tradition or small activity for family par- ticipation. You might be surprised who will step up to make spe- cial treats or decorate the tree or create a fun activity. Second, it
is important to focus on the most impor- tant part of Christ- mas, the reality of the human Jesus. Read the Christmas story. Third, give yourself the gift of self-care. Healthy self-care helps us handle stress.
If you know a care- giver, here are some ideas to help them deal with Christmas stress. You could buy the caregiver a Christ- mas tree and possibly even decorate it to provide Christmas cheer. Maybe you could organize some friends and family to decorate the inside or
outside of the house. You could stuff a stocking with things the caregiver could use. Gifts like lotion, germ killer and special soaps are some ideas for the stocking. Bake or cook something
for the caregiver you know they will ap- preciate. This will give the caregiver a break from making food. Maybe an offer to
take a grocery list to the store and purchase the groceries would be a way to lift the care- giver’s spirits. Provide respite for the caregiv- er by offering to be on caregiving duty while the main caregiver can get some time for him or herself. Finding ways to show appreci- ation go a long way to giving the caregiver a sense of appreciation.
The holiday season comes with many joys, expectations and tra-
ditions. Celebrations have to be adjusted with time and respon- sibilities such as care- giving for a loved one. As you look at your family holiday, keep the season simple, pare down the tradi- tions and modify your expectations. Enlist help as you make your holiday plans and remember the most important element is God’s spiritual pres- ence with us.
Caregivers have a very important task and are often the glue that holds everything together. Friends and family have the op- portunity to show the caregivers their appre- ciation. If we all work together this holiday season, we can make the season merry and bright for everyone.
Healthy substitutions for baking and cooking
An ability to adapt is one of the most important skills to have in the kitchen. Following a recipe can give home cooks the cursory knowledge they need to make a
delicious meal, but an ability to tweak reci- pes allows individuals to put their own spin on foods and custom- ize meals so they fit with their particular lifestyles.
A person may have to change an ingredi- ent to avoid a food al- lergy, or he or she may swap something out to make a dish more nu- tritious. Some substi- tutions can change the
texture or even taste of the overall recipe, as no substitution can mimic the original in- gredient exactly. How- ever, a home cook will often find the results are acceptable, and
may even prefer them to the “real” thing.
Original ingredi- ent: White flour
Substitution:
Whole wheat flour, nut flour
White flour lacks
many nutrients be- cause the grain has been largely stripped of its most important parts before being
SUBSTITUTIONS... Continued on Next H&F Page
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