Holidays offer opportunities to set time aside and get together with family and Friends, far and near. It also helps remind us to appreciate the people in our lives. It is a time for pondering memories and making new memories, taking pictures, Game playing, Delicious food, reflecting on the importance of our loved ones, and of course lots of laughter. But it can be a challenging time of year for those with Dementia.
The holiday season is a festive time full of laughter and fond memories, but it can be a stressful time for those with dementia and their caregivers. Celebrations and their associated elements – rearranged or redecorated spaces, visitors, and interruptions in routine – can agitate, confuse, and overstimulate those with dementia.
As a result, caregivers can feel frustrated, isolated, or anxious. Though there’s no way to guarantee an untroubled holiday celebration, acting strategically to minimize discomfort and confusion can go a long way toward making gatherings merry and bright. Use these tips from the Alzheimer’s Association to help. For those who are at The Gables, we strive to make the holidays as easy as possible for all of our residents.
Make a Plan
Discuss the holidays with the person who has dementia and ask if they feel up to the usual celebration. Read their body language also when you ask them. Let them know ahead of time what the plans are so they know what to expect.
Minimize the Stress of Travel
If you’ll travel with someone who has dementia, never leave the person alone. Make sure to keep a close eye on them. It is ideal to stay it in a familiar location so they feel comfortable and part of their routine is the same.
Prepare the Patient
If you’re hosting, you have your own prep work to do! Show the person with dementia pictures of who will be visiting. You may need to revisit this step as it leads up to the event. Let them know they can be vocal about when they need a break or some time alone to regulate.
Keep it Classic
Playing familiar holiday music and serving familiar holiday foods can help the person with dementia enjoy the holidays, so don’t neglect old favorites. You likely know the traditions they enjoyed; try to do those so they feel comfortable.
Prepare Visitors ( Family and Friends)
Give anyone who will visit an honest update on the condition of the person with dementia before they arrive. This way no one is surprised and can be understanding if there were any odd situations.
Prepare the Home
Make sure there’s a “quiet room” where the person with dementia can go if the gathering becomes too overwhelming and where they can take regularly scheduled naps. This is beneficial for everyone to ensure there is not major hiccups in the festivities.
Take Care of Yourself
One of the most important parts of caregiving is taking care of yourself. If you are not getting enough rest, exercising, or not eating well, it is important to take time for yourself so you can be the best version of yourself that you can be. During an extra stressful time, it can be useful to have someone else to help you with your caregiving duties during an extra busy time.
Give us a call at The Gables to see how we can help your loved ones that may have Alzheimer’s and your needing additional help with their care. Our team is full of trained professionals that are ready to care for as their own family.
