Make Sure Everyone Enjoys the Festive Season with these Easy Holiday Dementia Tips
The Festive Season can be great fun (and a little hectic sometimes!). What happens if you have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s and you want to include them in the holiday festivities? These holiday dementia tips are practical, useful and simple.
It can be completely overwhelming for dementia sufferers – the added activities and stress may cause agitation and confusion, unpredictable behavior, or mood swings.
To help your older adult have a happy holiday season and to reduce your own stress, scale things back a little and change some activities so they’ll feel calm, safe, and included.
Even if your older adult might not remember these holiday activities later, the warm feelings they’ll have is a different kind of memory their body will carry for a while.
Here are some tips to make sure it’s fun for everyone.
Stress
Dementia suffers are highly sensitive to the feelings of others – and if you’re stressed, they will be too (and so you get more stressed). Keep extra commitments to a minimum (say no!). Sign up for the 5 day stress challenge below, with super-simple stress relievers.
Consider asking others for help or hire help.
Don’t show your stress – go to another room and do the calming soothers in the Challenge below – then come out smiling again!
Plan ahead
Keep things simple and focus on a few of the most meaningful traditions. Ask your older adult which traditions they value most (e.g. the Tree, traditional songs, baking) – this will make them feel important and involved.
Keep them involved by letting them help with small tasks that they can do – e.g. rolling dough or pastry, polishing the table, stringing cranberries or wrapping presents (even if it’s not great, if they’re enjoying it, let them carry on and you can re-do later).
Prepare Family Before the Visit
Because Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are progressive conditions, people get worse over time. To avoid shocking people during holiday visits, it’s a good idea to update them on the current condition before they come over. Being surprised could make family members irrationally angry, ignore your older adult, or insist on making unwise changes to their life.
Talking with children ahead of time about Alzheimer’s or dementia helps them overcome fears and encourages them to spend time with your older adult. Before the holiday visit, let kids know that odd behavior or angry outbursts aren’t their fault, but are a normal part of the disease. During the visit, have an adult keep an eye on the kids in case your older adult says or does something unexpected.
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Limit holiday decorations
Too much decor or twinkling lights could cause overstimulation and disorientation. Focus on cheerful items that bring back happy memories and are important to family traditions.
Keep groups small
Big groups and lots of noise are very distressing when you have dementia. Instead of hosting one big party for all of the extended family, have a couple of casual get-togethers with small groups of relatives spread over a couple of weeks. Or limit the guest list to immediate family only.
Choose the best time
Another great holiday dementia tip is to plan these get-togethers at the time of day when they are at their best. For example, if they get agitated in the evenings, have the holiday party earlier in the day, or if they don’t wake up early, have the family gathering in the evening so they can stick to their regular schedule.
Importantly, arrange for them to stay in a quiet room away from the group. Family members can take turns spending quality time with them in their calm space.
Have fun with music
Something that many people with Alzheimer’s and dementia really enjoy is music. You could have a family sing-a-long to your older adult’s favorite tunes, ask the kids to sing traditional holiday songs, have a little dance party, or simply play songs they love
Avoid big changes in diet (this holiday dementia tip is important)
Many older adults have sensitive digestive systems, so limit foods that are too different from their ordinary diet. Rich foods could upset their stomach, and alcohol can cause problems with many medications.
Bonus tip: Take a short break yourself
While family is around, take advantage of the opportunity and ask someone to take care of your older adult for an hour or two. Don’t wait for someone to offer, they might not realize you need (and deserve!) a break. Take a nap, put your feet up, take a long shower, watch some TV, call a friend…anything that helps you relax, re-charge and destress (try the Yoga to de-stress soothers FREE on this page!).
After your well-deserved break, you’ll be better able to help everyone have the best holiday possible.
P.S. These useful tips can be used all year round for any get-togethers to relieve stress for Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers and families.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to join the 5 day de-stress challenge – click here!
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Warm regards,
P.S. Don’t forget to join the 5-day Yoga to De-Stress Challenge – it’s fun! You’ll be glad you did. Click here to join – it’s FREE!
