With Thanksgiving approaching, the holiday season is already here. Having a loved one suffering from dementia can make the holidays pretty difficult, both for you and your elderly family member. While many types of dementia are incurable or terminal, this doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy your time with the people that you love. By planning ahead this holiday season, you can be sure that no one misses out on being able to spend time with their family, and you can make the holidays a special time just like they should be.
For those elderly folk in the beginning stages of dementia, there’s a good chance that they will be overwhelmed by the change in their day to day lives. This is common, and it’s an issue that you do not want to exacerbate. If your mom or dad is currently receiving in-home care, consult with their caregiver or the professional service that you are utilizing before you finalize your plans. These professionals will know whether or not your loved one will be able to handle to chaos that is often associated with large family get-togethers. This is why they are professionals, after all. If it isn’t in their best interest, an alternative play can be arrived at, too. Perhaps breaking up the day into shifts, with some people coming over for lunch and others for dinner, can be the best way to handle this. Your family will definitely have unique needs, so feel free to individualize this plan if needed! This is just an easy idea to help you brainstorm what is best.
Routines are especially important for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia. Having a scheduled family get-together during the holiday’s might interrupt that, especially if your mom or dad is living in an assisted living facility or a nursing home. Rather than overwhelming them by moving them out of their regular setting (wherever that might be), consider bringing the family to them. This can be difficult or even impossible if you have a large family, so be sure to plan it out with the people in charge of where your parent is located before showing up. A smooth transition will help make the occasion a lot more enjoyable for everyone and planning out a visit will likely not take too long, and make the experience that much better.
The most important aspect about any family holiday, be it Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever else your family might be celebrating, is that you are together and that love and care are expressed. Even our family members that may have seen some decline in cognitive functioning have these basic needs, although they might not be able to express it like they once could. Ensuring that no one is left out from family celebrations is possible, even those suffering from dementia. If this is a concern for your family, be sure to sit down with the other decision makers involved and come up with a plan so that everyone can celebrate together this year.
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