By Steve Gale, Business Development Coordinator
When spending holidays with a loved one with dementia, creating a supportive and comfortable environment is essential.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Stick to Familiar Traditions: Maintain holiday traditions your loved one is familiar with to provide comfort.
- Keep It Simple: Avoid overwhelming decorations, loud music, or too many people, as these can be distressing and chaotic.
- Plan Ahead: Prepare a schedule for the day with structured activities and breaks to prevent overstimulation. Don’t pressure yourself to make it too rigid or to try and include too much that might not be necessary, and remember, build in quiet time.
- Engage in Meaningful Activities: Choose activities that your loved one enjoys and can participate in comfortably, such as looking at photo albums or gentle, familiar games.
- Involve Them in Preparations: Include them in simple holiday preparations like setting the table or wrapping presents if these are things they’ve always enjoyed.
- Share Stories: Reminisce about past holiday memories and share stories to help them connect with the holiday spirit.
- Be Patient and Flexible: Understand that their behavior may vary. Stay patient and be open to flexibility within the schedule if the day calls for it.
- Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family members or a support group, especially if caregiving becomes challenging. To be a great caregiver, you must care for yourself first!
Every person with dementia is unique, so it’s important to tailor these tips to your loved one’s specific needs and preferences. Creating a peaceful and familiar environment can make the holidays safe and enjoyable for you and your loved ones.
If you or someone you care about needs additional support to help cope, The Option Group is here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact our professional care management team for assistance.
About The Option Group: Founded in 2010, The Option Group’s compassionate team of experienced Certified Life Care Managers serves families, their loved ones, medical professionals, and professional family advisors in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The firm understands the challenges of caring for an individual who needs assistance due to aging, dementia, disability, or serious illness. Our skilled providers possess over 100 years of combined experience navigating the healthcare maze and accessing hundreds of quality resources. The Option Group helps families spend quality time with their loved ones, providing clear choices that lead to better care. For more information, visit www.theoptiongroup.net or call 410-667-0266 (MD) or 717-287-9900 / 610-885-8899 / 215-896-6756 (PA) or 302-858-6449 (DE).