The holidays are fast approaching, and when a loved one has dementia, it’s time for caregivers to plan how best to include them in the festivities. From understanding dementia to timing events to planning and execution, here are several caregiver resources to help make the holidays happy for all.
Understand dementia
Dementia is the umbrella term for several conditions that involve cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementias. Although many have similar symptoms, each has unique aspects to consider.
One essential caregiver resource is knowing the stage of the loved one’s disease. According to the depts.washington.edu article “Dementia and the Holidays,” each type of dementia progresses differently, and every person is unique, so knowing the current symptoms matters.
For example, does the loved one still recognize people, or do large groups cause anxiety? Are they able to care for themselves, or do they need a caregiver? Is their ability to communicate compromised? Are motor skills impacted? Are there personality changes to be anticipated? Creating a caregiver resource list that answers these questions is a good idea for planning as well as decorating and updating other guests. Keep in mind that the holidays can evoke feelings of loss, stress, and fatigue, so planning to minimize these can make the event better for everyone.
Consider event size and timing
The holidays are traditionally the time for families to come together, but for a loved one with dementia, a large gathering may be more than they can reasonably handle. Instead, keep the gathering small and include only close family and friends to minimize confusion.
As noted in the caregiver resource document “Dementia-Friendly Holiday Toolkit,” from Dementia Friendly America, it also helps to plan around the loved one’s normal schedule. That includes meals and activities that align with their daily routine, which should be limited in scope to avoid being overwhelming. Flexibility in planning is also helpful as seniors with dementia may arrive late or need to leave early.
Plan dementia-friendly activities
Because communication is often compromised and can be a stress point for seniors with dementia, planning simple hands-on activities can make the event fun and productive without high expectations. The dementiacarecentral.com article, “How to Navigate the Holidays when a Loved One has Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia,” recommends baking/decorating cookies, singing holiday songs, making paper chains, stringing cranberries or popcorn garlands, and looking at old holiday photos together.
Another helpful caregiver resource is to prepare the loved one before the gathering by asking them what they would like to do and who they would be comfortable seeing and spending time with. Knowing what to expect can minimize surprises, stress, and anxiety.
The key is to concentrate on what they can do, not what they used to do. Plan activities that are brief and be prepared to take breaks. In some cases, a loved one with dementia may need a quiet place to rest, so having a space prepared ahead of time is a helpful caregiver resource that can decrease stress and anxiety.
For more holiday activities, check out the dementiawho.com article, “Festive Heartwarmers: Holiday Crafts for Seniors with Dementia.”
Decorate safely
When decorating for the holidays, consider the caregiver resources provided in the alzdn.org article, “Five Holiday ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for Families Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia.” Begin by limiting decorations that can be overstimulating, such as too many lights, ornaments, or noisy decorations, like those that are motion-activated.
Another caregiver resource is to emphasize safety by avoiding decorations that pose a risk, such as fragile glass ornaments, real candles, decorations with cords that pose a fall hazard, or small objects resembling candy or other treats that could be ingested. Instead, choose soft holiday pillows and other unbreakable items that can be handled or dropped without fear. It’s also important to keep familiar spaces unchanged so the loved one feels safe and secure.
Update guests
Finally, update other guests about the loved one’s condition before the event. For example, the alzfdn.org article, “Staying Safe and Joyful: Tips for a Dementia-Friendly Holiday Celebration from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America” recommends explaining how best to communicate, which actions the loved one normally responds well to and which may upset them. A wonderful caregiver resource for guests is the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s website video, “Preparing Holiday Visitors,” at the end of the article or on YouTube.
Making the holidays joyful for everyone is our goal at Ganton’s Countryside. For more information about Countryside, please call Margaret Nagel at (517) 206-5000 or download our brochure to learn about our care levels, cost, and amenities.
