The lights, the sounds, and the smells of the holidays are some of the wonderful elements of the holidays. And along with those festive highlights, the best part of the holidays for many is celebrating them with someone you love. Whether that’s a large family gathering of dozens of relatives or a small, quiet dinner for two, being with someone you care about over the holidays is a blessing.
If you are caring for someone who has dementia, the holidays can also bring about a lot of stress as you try to help your loved one still find the joy of the holidays, but also try to protect them from becoming too overwhelmed or confused by the season. You probably don’t need to avoid the season in its entirety, but there are steps you can take to help ensure both you and your loved one with dementia enjoy the holidays fully.
Why the Holidays are Still Important
If your loved one and your family always made a big deal out of the holidays, it’s important that you still take time with your loved one on holiday-centered activities. Keeping up some of those traditions can help your elderly loved one stay connected with who she is and who everyone else is. The sights, sounds, and smells can spark her memory and help her remember forgotten people or traditions. And of course, holidays bring peace and good cheer, helping your loved one find joy in the season.
Consider These Tips for Managing the Holidays
Keep it Simple. Keeping it simple can involve everything from the number of activities you plan, the food you serve, and even the clothes your loved one wears. Having the holiday touches present, but in a more understated way, can help your loved one appreciate it more.
Introduce decorations gradually. If in the past, the home was decorated from top to bottom, this year, a simple tree in the corner with some ornaments might suffice. (Keep in mind that for some dementia patients, the sparkling lights inside can be quite confusing.) Add in an occasional holiday knick-knack or wreath and slowly build up the décor so it isn’t too jarring a change.
Be careful about food. Don’t put out a bowl of Christmas candy or nuts if your loved one might sneak them, and make meals that are familiar and not too exotic. Try to keep meals at the same time, using the same plates, and having the same mealtime rituals.
Remind others about what to expect. If you have visiting guests who haven’t interacted with your loved one since the last holiday gathering, give them an update on what to expect and how to best interact with your loved one.
Let Senior Home Care Help During the Holidays
Because the holidays can be a busy time of the year, helping your loved one enjoy the holidays may mean that both of you need a little more help. A senior home care provider trained in Alzheimer’s care can support you through this season. The senior home care provider can sit with your loved one while you put up decorations or run a quick errand to get some more eggnog. Senior home care providers can also help your elderly loved one wrap presents, bake cookies, or write out cards so you can focus on other aspects of the holidays.
With planning and assistance, your loved one can still have a very merry holiday.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Carrollton, TX, please contact the caring staff at Arcy Healthcare today at (469) 293-1515
Providing In-Home Healthcare Services in North Texas, including Dallas, Hurst, Grapevine, Keller, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Denton, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Gainesville, and more.
My name is Jimmie Stapleton. I am the founder and CEO of Arcy Healthcare. Arcy Healthcare includes Arcy Hospice, Arcy Supportive Care, Arcy Home Health and Arcy at Home.
Arcy Hospice was opened in 2007 to provide care and support for individuals and families facing a life limiting illness. It was established after my wife Ellen, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, had completed her chemo and radiation therapies. At that time, things were looking positive, and we wanted to do something for our community that had been so supportive of our family during her treatments. Unfortunately, the cancer returned a few years later, and she subsequently passed away under our care in 2010.
In the years that followed, I began to see the need to provide the same level of excellent care to patients across the continuum of care. Therefore, we have added a home health division (Arcy Home Health), a palliative care division (Arcy Supportive Care), and a home care division, (Arcy at Home). With the addition of these divisions, we can meet most of the post-acute care needs for you and your family in your home.
I started Arcy Hospice with my wife as my motivation to provide exceptional care and support in the patient’s home, where they are surrounded by family and where they feel most comfortable. I’m proud to say that our staff provides some of the best in home care in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
Please let us know if we can enrich the quality of life for you or a loved one.
Sincerely,
Jimmie Stapleton – Founder and CEO
Arcy Healthcare
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