The holidays are a time full of celebration, joy and special occasions with family and friends, but for people living with Alzheimer’s disease the season can present special challenges. The Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter has prepared Home For The Holidays, a handy guide with tips and advice for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
The guide shows how, with careful planning, family celebrations can be a meaningful part of the holidays while ensuring safety, comfort and enjoyment for everyone. Its purpose is to help alleviate some of the stress associated with the additional activities and changes in routine at this time of year.
Home for the Holidays is available for download through the chapter website alz.org/socal or by calling the chapter’s 24-hour helpline at (800) 272-3900. Experts are available to speak with people who are concerned with their own cognitive health and can assist family members and friends seeking information or resources for loved ones.
Highlights from the Home for the Holiday guide include the following:
Caregiving responsibilities layered on top of keeping up with holiday traditions can take their toll on Alzheimer families, especially on the caregivers.
With some preparation, your celebrations can be filled with joy and magical moments to cherish. Adjust your expectations. No one, including yourself, should expect you to maintain every holiday tradition or event.
• Give yourself permission to do only what you can reasonably manage.
• Choose holiday activities and traditions that are most important to you.
• Host a small family dinner instead of throwing a big holiday party.
• Consider serving a catered or takeout holiday meal. Many grocery stores and restaurants offer meals to go.
• Start a new tradition. Host a potluck dinner where family or friends each bring a dish.
Involve the affected individual in holiday festivities.
People with memory loss can often share in activities. Here are a few ideas:
• Wrap gifts.
• Bake favorite holiday recipes together. The person can stir batter or decorate cookies.
• Set the table. Avoid centerpieces with candles and artificial fruits and berries that could be mistaken for edible snacks.
• Talk about events to include in a holiday letter.
• Prepare simple foods such as appetizers.
• Read holiday cards you receive together.
• Look through photo albums or scrapbooks. Reminisce about people in the pictures and past events.
• Watch a favorite holiday movie together.
• Sing seasonal carols or read passages from favorite books.
A holiday is still a holiday, whether it is celebrated at home or at a care facility.
Here are some ways to celebrate together:
• Join your loved one at the facility-planned holiday activities.
• Bring a favorite holiday food to share.
• Sing holiday songs. Ask if other residents can join in.
• Read a favorite holiday story or poem out loud.
More Information
alz.org/socal
(800) 272-3900
