The holidays are a great time to spend with your closest friends and family – the people you love most. If your loved one is affected by Alzheimer’s, it can make enjoying the holidays difficult – especially if they do not understand what is happening or may not know everyone in the house. Here are a few tips to help you and your loved one enjoy the holidays and overcome challenges posed by Alzheimer’s.
Make sure they are comfortable
When someone is living with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their environment changes, it can be incredibly overwhelming for them as they will often feel lost and uncertain. If you start by making sure they are comfortable with their environment and know where they are, this can go a long way to ensure they enjoy their time with you this holiday.
If your loved one struggles with recognizing where they are, it may be helpful to limit the amount of decorations. Too many flashing lights or unfamiliar décor could overwhelm them or make them uncertain as to where they are.
Make sure to include your loved ones
You may not ask your loved ones to be involved in holiday activities as much because you may not be sure if that is something they would like, but being included will help them enjoy the holidays. Your loved one wants to spend time doing activities with the whole family, so try your best to include them in things you are doing this holiday. Do they have one particular holiday tradition they love to do? Make sure to include it in the plans so your loved one feels connected to everyone else this holiday.
Give them time to rest
The holidays tend to be a busy time for all of us, and your loved one living with dementia or Alzheimer’s will likely need more rest than they used to. This time of year can be especially exhausting with everything that is going on. Getting adequate rest can help your loved one experience less stress and be able to enjoy their time with you more.
Try not to plan out every minute of your holiday. Give your loved one a chance to nap and recover from the activities of the day. Even if you are doing a few other activities while they nap, make sure you include them in the big activities that they really enjoy doing and want to participate in.
This holiday, putting a little extra thought into making your loved one’s experience will go a long way to helping them feel connected to the rest of your family.
Contact VERA Home Care today
Do you have a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or dementia who could benefit from some extra help? VERA Home Care can provide additional assistance and ensure that your loved one is well cared for.
Call us today for more information!