Sue Salach-Cutler

Summer is usually a slower time for most of us. Though it may seem like there is a lot going on, it is mostly fun focused activities. The weather is nice and the days are long. The summer is a lot easier with seniors able to get out and about more easily.

Then Fall arrives…

Work picks up, the kids are back at school, monthly boards and committees resume and caregiving duties become more difficult to manage. During this time it becomes more taxing to find the motivation to make the extra trip to the store or pharmacy when it’s dark at 5:00pm. The increase in activities can also make it challenging to schedule doctor appointments for an elderly loved one due to issues with the coordination of transportation.

So what is there to do? Here are some Fall tips to help you to better schedule your chaos!

* Set a regular schedule for visits with your elderly loved one. This way you create a routine day or days and time to visit.
* Try to make doctor appointments on a Saturday morning or on an evening when the doctor has longer hours.
* If your loved one lives in a community or facility get a copy of the calendar and highlight the things your loved one would like to go to.
* Call your church or synagogue to see if they have volunteers who visit people in their home.
* Visit in the evening in order to help stretch out the day of a family member who may not be able to get out of the house as much due to inclement weather.
* Bring a game with to make your visit more fun.
* Ask for help from family or friends! You cannot do it all!
* Take time for you!  Schedule alone time or date night with your spouse to get out and NOT discuss your frustrations and responsibilities but enjoy your time alone or with your spouse.

Creating a plan for successful chaos management this fall can help you through the winter and spring months too!