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Planning Can Help Avoid Holiday Stress
Visits with family and friends put additional strain on people with dementia and their caregivers during the holidays. Making changes such as slowing down the pace of activities will help make the holidays more enjoyable for everyone.
If you're have a loved one with Alzheimer's here are a few holiday tips:
• Consider hosting quiet, slow-paced gatherings
• Television, conversation and meal preparation may make the environment noisy or over-stimulating.
• To avoid disorientation, tone down blinking lights and large decorative displays.
• Avoid candles and decorations such as artificial fruits that could be mistaken for edible treats.
• Involve the person with the disease in holiday preparations to the extent they’re comfortable. For example, when you bake, let your loved one measure flour or stir batter, or simply watch you work. Open holiday cards and wrap gifts together.
• Arrange for a few family members to visit on different days. Two or three familiar faces at a time are likely to be welcome, but more than that may be confusing. Schedule visits at your loved one's best time of day, as people with Alzheimer's often tire easily.
• If your loved one lives in a long-term care setting, celebrate there. For many people with Alzheimer's, a change of environment — even a visit home — may cause anxiety. Instead of creating a disruption, consider holding a small family celebration at the facility.
Caregivers also must consider their needs during this often-stressful time of year — you can't do it all, so don’t try. According to Erna Colborn, president and CEO for the Greater Illinois Chapter, “Nearly 10 million Americans provide unpaid care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. In Illinois there are nearly 350,000 Alzheimer’s caregivers who provided over 301 million hours of unpaid care. To help ease your holiday stress we suggest that you bake fewer cookies or ask others to help with meals. Let family members and friends help with cleaning, writing cards and shopping for gifts. Ask if one of your children or a close friend can stay with your loved one while you do something fun, such as go to a holiday party.”
You can't control the progress of Alzheimer's, but by planning and setting firm boundaries, you can avoid needless holiday stress and enjoy the warmth of the season.
For other ideas and support, click here or call 1.800.272.3900.
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