Holidays can be bittersweet for families affected by Alzheimer’s. Help to prepare your patients and their loved ones by sharing these tips to help plan the holiday season to be a little more comfortable for everyone.
Consider simple tips to make the holidays enjoyable for everyone
Alzheimer’s disease affects both family and community life. Holiday observances are no exception. Holiday memories from before your loved one developed Alzheimer’s may darken an otherwise joyful season — and worries about how your loved one’s condition may disrupt your family’s plans can overshadow the simple pleasure of being together. Rather than dwell on how much things have changed or worry about what might go wrong, focus on making the holidays as enjoyable as possible.
Keep it Simple if you are caring for a loved one at home that has Alzheimer’s.
Make preparations together. If you bake, your loved one may be able to participate by measuring flour, stirring batter or rolling dough. You may find it meaningful to open holiday cards or wrap gifts together. Remember to concentrate on the process, rather than the result.
Tone down your decorations. Blinking lights and large decorative displays can cause disorientation. Avoid lighted candles and other safety hazards, as well as decorations that could be mistaken for edible treats — such as artificial fruits.
Host quiet, slow-paced gatherings. Music, conversation and meal preparation all add to the noise and stimulation of an event. Yet for a person who has Alzheimer’s, a calm, quiet environment usually is best. Keep daily routines in place as much as possible and, as needed, provide your loved one a place to rest during family get-togethers.
- Talk about and show pictures of people who are coming to visit.
- Play familiar music and serve their favorite traditional holiday foods.
- People with Alzheimer’s may recognize faces of family members and friends but may be unable to recall names. Name tags can be very helpful.
Be practical away from home
If your loved one lives in a nursing home or other facility:
- Celebrate in the most familiar setting. For many people who have Alzheimer’s, a change of environment — even a visit home — causes anxiety. Instead of creating that disruption, consider holding a small family celebration at the facility. You might also participate in holiday activities planned for the residents.
- Minimize visitor traffic. Arrange for a few family members to drop in on different days. Even if your loved one isn’t sure who’s who, two or three familiar faces are likely to be welcome, while nine or 10 may be overwhelming.
- Schedule visits at your loved one’s best time of day. People who have Alzheimer’s tire easily, especially as the disease progresses. Your loved one may appreciate morning and lunchtime visitors more than those in the afternoon or evening.
Self-Care
Consider your needs, as well as those of your loved one. To manage your expectations of yourself:
- Pick and choose. Decide which holiday activities and traditions are most important, then focus on what you enjoy. Remember that you can’t do it all.
- Plan Ahead
- Bake fewer cookies. Buy fewer gifts. Don’t feel pressured to display all of your holiday decorations or include a handwritten note with each holiday card. Ask others to provide portions of holiday meals.
- Remember family members and friends who’ve offered their assistance. Let them help with cleaning, addressing cards and shopping for gifts. Ask if one of your children or a close friend could stay with your loved one while you go to a holiday party
Trust your instincts
As a caregiver, you know your loved one’s abilities best. You also know what’s most likely to agitate or upset your loved one. Resist pressure to celebrate the way others may expect you to. Remember, you can’t control the progress of Alzheimer’s or protect your loved one from all distress — but by planning and setting firm boundaries, you can avoid needless holiday stress and enjoy the warmth of the season.
Give yourself a gift this holiday season and let Comforts of Home help by providing in-home care for your loved one so that you can take a much needed and deserved break to do some holiday shopping, have lunch with friends or to just rest. Call us today at 936-647-0674, we’d love to be part of your holiday plans!
