Tips for helping those with dementia during the holiday season

Dementia doesn’t have to get in the way of the holidays. With some preparation and care, having a loved one who suffers from a condition such as Alzheimer’s Disease with the family for special occasions can be a rewarding experience. Involve your loved one in preparations as much as possible with tasks such as signing cards, decorating and filling stockings. Be patient and don’t expect them to “Know” like they used to before dementia. Evaluate the environment where you will celebrate and identify a place for quiet and rest. Educate guests in advance of changes since they last saw your loved one and use name tags and identifiers, like “Nick – Grant’s son”. Be mindful of noise, a child’s toy or video game or a football game and fans of the game can create over-stimulating background noises. Choose holiday traditions most important to your family and prioritize. Utilize your support system to get extra time for shopping and errands. Prepare ahead: ask for help, educate those close to you of your needs and most of all take care of yourself. Enjoy the holiday season and know we are here to support you. Call if you need additional advice or support: 509-764-1900.