As we enter the holiday season, we reflect on the many blessings in our lives, including our professional caregivers who care for our residents in our assisted living communities in Metairie and our family members who support their loved ones.
Professional and family caregivers spend much time caring for others, and during this season and every day, they deserve recognition and appreciation for all their effort. They have a positive impact on those in their care.
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is a positive expression of thankfulness and appreciation. When we feel grateful, a feeling of kindness, warmth, and other positive emotions come to us. When we express our gratitude to caregivers, they experience these positive feelings, too. They also come to know that others appreciate the diligent care they provide.
At Audubon Care Homes®, showing caregivers they make a difference in the lives of others and that their service is appreciated is truly important. Here are a few ways to share gratitude with professional and family caregivers you know this holiday season.
Express Thankfulness
One of the easiest and most meaningful ways to show gratitude is to say thank you. Verbally offering thanks to caregivers speaks to their work and its importance.
Words of affirmation also make caregivers feel more valued. The positive feedback and gratitude you express show you recognize all they do for the elderly, whether at home or in an assisted living or memory care facility.
Write a Thank You Note
A handwritten thank you note is a treasure in our technological world filled with emails, text messages, and social media. Taking the time to write a note and show your thanks for a caregiver’s work has a significant impact. In addition, they have something to keep and look at on those more challenging days. A thank you note is a lovely reminder that someone cares and appreciates their efforts.
Promote Self-Care
Self-care is essential for all caregivers. They give of themselves as they care for seniors daily, attending to their needs and supporting activities of daily living that are necessary for a senior’s quality of life. So, consider encouraging a family caregiver you know to take a day off and care for themselves. Volunteer to provide care or work with other family members and trusted friends to provide care and engage in activities throughout the day that will also make the day enjoyable for the senior loved one.
Another way to promote self-care for family or professional caregivers is to create a gift basket containing self-care items. It can include movies, snacks, and more! Filling the basket with the caregiver’s favorite things is a great way to show appreciation.
Give a Gift Card or Send Flowers
A gift card can be a meaningful way to show gratitude. Not only is the gift card an expression of thanks, but it’s also a practical gift and something a caregiver can use right away.
Gift cards for various services, like their favorite coffee shop, allow caregivers to treat themselves. The key is to find a gift card the caregiver will use. For instance, maybe one caregiver loves to read. In that case, the caregiver may appreciate a gift card to a local bookstore.
Flowers may turn a person’s typical day into an amazing one. Flowers positively affect anyone’s mood and are sure to brighten the day of a caregiver! Sending a loved one’s caregiver a beautiful bouquet is another way to express gratitude for the care they provide.
Give a Meal
Caregivers work hard all day and may need to go home to care for their families. They rarely have time for themselves. So, consider taking a family caregiver out for lunch or dinner. For professional caregivers, consider making them a meal for a night off from cooking. This gesture would be an enormous help and a fantastic way to express gratitude for the caregiver’s efforts.
Run Errands
Another way to show gratitude for a family caregiver is to run errands for them as they may not have time. Offering to go grocery shopping, pick up dry cleaning or take their car to get washed are just a few errands a caregiver would appreciate. Find out what the caregiver needs help with and see if that’s something you can offer; we are sure they will enjoy it.
Concluding Thoughts
Family and professional caregivers are essential to the lives of our aging loved ones. They give of themselves and work hard to ensure seniors are healthy, happy, and comfortable. The care they provide to seniors is invaluable, and so is the gratitude we extend during this holiday season.