The holiday season looks different now that I live with someone who has Parkinson’s Disease, that doesn’t mean I can’t still celebrate with family and friends. I have found that the following tips help me enjoy our holidays without exhausting either of us.

1. Be honest with myself and choose activities wisely. Consider what my personal capacity is and only accept those invitations or make plans that will fit within our current situation. I don’t have to do things simply because I have always done them in the past.
2. Do my groundwork ahead of time. Talk with my husband about what’s coming up and decide together what we want to do. Talk with friends and family so they know where we both are in our journey with PD so they can be supportive and understanding of our needs. Create realistic expectations for everyone. If we can only stay for an hour, or I need the party I am hosting to only last for two, I let everyone know in advance.
3. On the day of the event, I can be a good buffer. I can help my husband connect with others but keep an awareness of how he is feeling. It may be that he simply wants to find a quiet corner so he can interact on a smaller basis and that’s okay.
4. Accept that things may be different as my husband’s symptoms progress. It’s okay if we don’t decorate the house. It’s okay if we don’t go to everything we are invited to, it’s okay to change traditions to fit what we need now.
5. Remember that this is my life too and that it’s okay for me to find time for joy in the holidays. Maybe this year I order dinner from the grocery store rather than spend the day cooking. Maybe I ask for help cleaning the house before guests come over, better yet, maybe I let someone else play the host this year. Maybe I find a way to step out of my role as CarePartner to relax and engage in the fun. It’s all okay as long as I find ways to share in the love and the holiday spirit with our family and friends.