ThirdAge Staff
Distance doesn't dilute the need for long distance caregivers to connect with their aging relatives over the holidays, or at any other time, for that matter. Here are some creative and health-promoting ideas to show your loved ones that you care.
Many studies have shown that caring for plants can help lower blood pressure and alleviate mild depression. Send potted flowers that haven't bloomed yet so your relative can enjoy nurturing a colorful bunch of bulbs. Tulips, fragrant hyacinths, crocus and daffodils are all available from Proflowers.com.
Help your relatives stay comfortable this winter with a cold season care package. You could include emollient hand cream, facial moisturizer and body lotion for drying skin. Mentholated lozenges and slippery elm tea will soothe sore throats. Chamomile tea promotes relaxation. Add honey for the tea and eucalyptus essential oil for soothing baths and vaporizer inhalations.
Aromatherapists maintain that scents such as lavender, jasmine and rose help change brain waves to relaxing rhythms.
Email is a great way to keep in touch. Send free e-greeting cards for the holidays.
If your relatives don't have access to email, send them pre-addressed, pre-stamped postcards or envelopes containing one sheet of paper so that they can write you easily and quickly whenever they feel like it.
- - - - -
Fine-tune your caregiving skills here.
