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Dec 13, 2011, 11:00 ET

AARP Releases Tips for Getting Family Members to Help with Caregiving Around the Holidays

CHICAGO, Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to a 2009 report, there are over 65 million caregivers in the U.S. – and they provide the equivalent of $450 billion in care to their adult parents and other loved ones. The holidays bring families together and are a great time to check in on elderly loved ones. It's also a great time for family caregivers to enlist the help of others in caring for loved ones.

"Caregiving is a job that doesn't allow for time off during the holidays," said Heather Heppner, Associate State Director with AARP Illinois. "But caregivers can catch a break during the holidays if they receive the gift of help from others this holiday season."

Below are AARP's holiday tips for family caregivers:

Tip 1: It Doesn't Have to Be You. Is there a task that your loved one likes to do that a visiting relative might enjoy, as well? For instance, Grandma loves to play gin rummy (and you just cannot bear another game). Or maybe assisted walks are part of your family member's daily physical therapy. Assign one of the younger family members to help with that "task" with your loved one.

Tip 2: Reach Out & Touch Someone. Enlist a visiting family member to help your loved one go through his or her address book and send out holiday cards. In the process, take note of which friends might be local, and worth getting in touch with to renew a friendship.

Tip 3: The Way We Were. Looking for a chance to reduce clutter? Your loved one might enjoy going through all the old ornaments, holiday decorations and general knick-knacks with visiting family members. Recruit another member of the family to help and encourage him to throw away any broken items.

Tip 4: We Are Family. As relatives are passing through during the holidays, ask if they would be willing to help with one task that you have not had time to do. Think of some chores that are still on your list. Consider tapping others to do a little work instead of doing all of it yourself or having to pay to get it done.

Tip 5: It's Just Me, Myself & I. Make a date with yourself. Take the opportunity to ask someone to take over one task, chore or transportation need that you normally fulfill, and take a break.

More AARP resources for caregivers can be found at www.aarp.org/caregiving.

SOURCE AARP Illinois