The holidays can be an overwhelming time for those living with Alzheimer's as well as their caregivers. For those who haven't seen their older relatives in some time, it's important to go into holiday gatherings knowing that there may have been some significant changes in the person with dementia since they saw them last.
This is why it's important for families to communicate early about challenges presented by the holidays, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
'There are lots of things you can do before the family even gets together under one roof to make sure everyone is prepared in helping to support their older relative,' said Michaelle Statham, Director of Programs for the Oklahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
This includes preparing younger family members for changes in their older relatives and vice-versa. This is why name tags can be helpful, particularly since children may have grown and look much different from the last time the person with dementia saw them.
Offer a quiet place for the person with Alzheimer's to go if the gathering becomes too overwhelming for them and consider celebrations earlier in the day since many individuals with dementia experience 'sundowning,' where they can become increasingly agitated later in the day.
Avoid decorations that can be disorientating, such as blinking lights, and be mindful of safety issues such as cords in walking paths.
Holidays can be a great time to bring out old photo albums and use them in conversations. Use the photos to spark conversations around 'we used to,' rather than 'do you remember,' which can confuse or agitate someone who can't remember.
Don't forget that caregivers need support, too. Now is a great time to offer help to these individuals, but be specific in your offer: Doing grocery shopping, cleaning the house, taking care of laundry, making dinner, or other specific errands are all great ways to ease the burden on caregivers who may not ask for assistance but still need it nonetheless.
The Alzheimer's Association offers additional tips for managing the holidays: 1. Make sure friends and family understand the situation and set realistic expectations for yourself.
2. Simplify things. Scale back on elaborate decorations, large celebrations and gift giving. Friends and family will understand.
3. Try to maintain a routine as much as possible.
4. Prepare your loved ones with dementia by showing photos of who to expect at gatherings but avoid asking them if they remember the individual.
5. Plan for post-holiday letdown after out-of-town guests leave.
6. Call the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 for additional support.
More resources can be found on www.alz.org/oklahoma.