Holidays may traditionally be a time for family
gatherings and celebrations at your house. You may find yourself in
a different situation now holidays can be a stressful time for the
family living with Alzheimer’s. Don’t stress. The holiday season can
be just as enjoyable with a little planning. Below are some helpful
ideas from www.alz.org
that can help you enjoy your holiday season.
You may have friends and family coming into
town that are unfamiliar with Alzheimer’s and how it’s affected your
loved one. Consider sending an email or a letter to them to prepare
them for what they may experience. Let them know what a typical day
looks like, to be patient, and to not take offense if they are not
recognized. Sometimes sending out an email to multiple recipients at
one time can be the most efficient way to share information.
Give yourself permission to adjust your
typical holiday routine to what you can reasonably manage. In the
past, you may have had a large gathering at your house for the
holidays. Consider paring down to a few guests so as not to
overwhelm yourself or your loved one living with Alzheimer’s. Or you
could host a potluck and distribute the cooking amongst many. You
may want to modify your usual holiday schedule with one that more
closely resembles the daily routine your loved one is accustomed to.
This may mean being flexible and adjusting from an evening dinner to
a brunch or lunch.
Past traditions can still be included in your
holiday celebrations. If your loved one was always at the piano
during the holidays, consider singing old holiday songs together.
You could also spend some time to look through old photo albums.
Your loved one can also be involved in meal preparation or
decorating, as their abilities allow. Something as simple as setting
the table can keep your loved one involved in the festivities.
Your family may ask for your advice regarding
gifts for those living with Alzheimer’s. Suggest ideas that will be
both useful and appreciated by your loved one. Comfortable clothing,
music, videos, or photo albums could make great gifts.
Full article here:
http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-holidays.asp
