National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
OCE Partnerships and COVID-19
Social workers from VHA’s Office of Community Engagement share winter and holiday self-care tips
A challenging year, 2020, is ending on a positive note—vaccines for the coronavirus are being administered across the United States. As the country embraces winter and the holiday season, it is important to remember that many continue to struggle.
As staff members of the VHA Office of Community Engagement (OCE) Heather Luper, social work program manager, and Randy Moler, program analyst and licensed clinical social worker, offer tips for Veterans and their caregivers to stay well. First: It’s OK for things not to feel OK.
“The holidays are not just a date on the calendar, there’s a lot of emotional connection, a lot of memories, a lot of evaluation of where you are in your life,” Mr. Moler said. One of the things Veterans can do to practice self-care, he said, is recognize that things aren’t easy right now.
“You’ve got to allow yourself grace and realize that this is a challenging time—we all have this idea that we should be happy and thankful. But sometimes there’s a disconnect with that message and how a person actually feels,” he continued.
Ms. Luper said that many people are struggling with guilt about missing family gatherings or are struggling with financial uncertainty—it’s natural that these feelings would affect people’s mental health.
That’s where physical health can play a part, Mr. Moler said.
“Make sure you’re taking the time to take care of yourself, whether that’s relaxation techniques, your diet, or some time disconnecting from technology,” he explained.
“Mr. Moler and Ms. Luper recommended that Veteran caregivers find time for a short check-in with their loved ones, just to make space for a discussion about any struggles. Caregivers should also remember to take care of themselves.
“Check in with other caregivers, schedule a regular time to have a debrief or venting session,” Ms. Luper said. VA’s Respite Care services can also help.
Another tip, Ms. Luper explained, is to manage expectations around the new year. 2021 could be off to an uncertain start, so even small resolutions are meaningful.
For example, Ms. Luper said, instead of resolving to lose weight, just try to go for a 20-minute walk each day, which will help your physical and mental health. Practicing gratitude is important for mental health, too.
“Try keeping a journal or memory log to document your experiences and interactions,” she said. “If you’re isolated from your family but do video calls, take a quick picture of that screen—start documenting in a different way, so you can look back on this as an extraordinary time, but see how creatively adapted to the challenge.”
Ms. Luper said she was able to teach her father, a 79-year-old Vietnam Veteran, to coordinate a video call with members of his church.
“That led to a great feeling of accomplishment for him. He proved he could change, learn, and be creative,” she said.
For stories about OCE partnerships that support Veterans’ physical and mental health and caregiver services, visit VA.gov/healthpartnerships.
Posted December 23, 2020
