With summer quickly approaching, it is a great time to help the caregivers in your life. While we may easily be able to think of ways to help the patient, we often feel stumped when it comes to supporting the people supporting the patient at home. The stress of day to day care for a loved one who is debilitated for a medical reason is exhausting.  I know there are caregivers who would deny the stress, but it is real.  

For most people, it was a long winter with lots of indoor time.  Thank goodness we can all partake in a little vitamin D in the great outdoors.  Take a caregiver to lunch and find an outdoor dining area to breathe in the fresh air.   

Send flowers and a card to a caregiver, and let them know they are amazing for the time and attention they are devoting to another.  If you prefer dropping off the flowers, every grocery store has arrangements on display.  Whole Foods and Publix have small bunches in glass jars; they are so inexpensive and easy to pick up. 

Rainy days do happen in the summer.  A rainy afternoon can be spent at the movies.  Movie tickets will always be one of my favorite gifts.  Downton Abbey is in the theaters and is a perfect mental break from the day to day stress.  Watch another family, The Crawley’s, navigate dealing with their relatives.