WELLNESS
life and health
w
3
HOLIDAYS
can be a hectic
time for anyone.
For people with Alzheimer’s dis-
ease or related dementias, however,
chaotic holiday gatherings can be
overwhelming and may cause behav-
ior that can sour the celebration.
But that doesn’t
mean caregivers
should ignore the
holidays.
“No family needs
to skip Christmas—
or any other holiday,” says Sherrill
Hollandsworth, manager of Seasons
at e Woodview, Halifax Regional
Health System’s memory-support
household in South Boston. “ey
just need to be realistic about their
celebration plans and keep in mind
that too much of a good thing for
someone with dementia is oen not
the best idea. Sometimes simple is
safer.”
Hollandsworth suggests a
few guidelines to ensure holiday
happiness:
Plan ahead.
Get an early start on
shopping, menu planning, cook-
ing, correspondence and anything
else that can be done in advance to
avoid a last-minute rush. Frantic
caregivers don’t help the person with
Alzheimer’s.
Communicate with family
members.
If relatives have not
been around since the last big
get-together, be sure to let them
know of any changes in the person
with Alzheimer’s and remind them
not to turn their visit into a memory
test. Questions such as “Do you
know who I am?” should be avoided.
Instead, encourage relatives to iden-
tify or re-introduce themselves.
Be realistic.
Admit that things are
di erent. Don’t expect everything
to be exactly as in years past. Keep
your favorite traditions, but consider
paring them down. For example, if
you have always cooked the entire
holiday dinner yourself, consider let-
ting others help. Give yourself per-
mission to simplify. Instead of a big
evening event,
consider host-
ing something
during the day,
if that makes it
easier.
Let your loved one help.
Can he
or she help bake cookies? Help set
the table? Fold napkins? Be sure to
let your loved one participate, but
don’t put him or her in a situation
in which failure and frustration are
inevitable. Involving the person with
Alzheimer’s in stress-free activities
will help both of you. And don’t
overdo it. Allow ample rest periods.
Don’t change the routine.
Stick
to the normal daily schedule as
much as possible. Try to see that
nap and meal times don’t change.
If an aer-lunch walk is part of the
routine, try to make that happen.
Keeping your loved one on a
normal schedule will make it easier
to cope.
Provide a quiet space.
No matter
how many guests you have, keep
your loved one’s bedroom a quiet
place to take a break from holiday
festivities. Look for signs of stress.
When you see them, help him or her
nd that safe haven.
Be safe.
Safety is important. Avoid
burning candles if you are unable to
monitor them. If you use arti cial
fruits and vegetables in holiday dec-
orations, make sure your loved one
does not attempt to eat them. And
be aware that the blinking lights of
holiday decorations can sometimes
cause confusion and disorientation
in people with Alzheimer’s.
Caregivers should not ignore their
own needs, either.
“Caregivers need to take care of
themselves too,” Hollandsworth says.
“By doing some advance planning,
accepting help when it is o ered and
remembering what is best for your
loved one, families can have wonder-
ful holiday celebrations.”
Make it merry for loved ones
A L Z H E I M E R ’ S A N D T H E H O L I D A Y S
Our Alzheimer’s Support Group
meets monthly. Check the back-
page calendar or call
434-517-3094
.