December is a time to unwind, relax, and focus on family. With the hustle and bustle of trying to get gifts for family members and prepare to reunite with loved ones, there is also another factor families may miss sometimes, and that is preparing the holiday season for your older loved ones, especially seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s or Dementia. With the many activities and adapting to COVID-19, some seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s or Dementia may feel stressed, anxious, or unprepared for what is happening during the holidays. It is crucial to develop a plan, communicate, and ensure your older loved ones are safe and happy during this time of year. Check out some of our insights in how to prepare your older relatives and have an amazing holiday season!
Educate yourself - The best thing before coming up with any plan of action is to educate yourself and other family members on Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Taking time to research Alzheimer’s and Dementia, read, and talk with experts can help give families a better idea of how the disease works, and steps to take to help relatives.
Create a safe and calm space - With the holidays, comes a lot more activities, decorations, and family members. With COVID-19, families may plan on hosting holiday gatherings outdoors or virtually, which may seem very different to older relatives. t’s important to create a similar space for older relatives with Alzheimer’s or Dementia during the holidays, whether it is toning down some of the decorations or playing familiar music . Communicate with older relatives to let them know how the holidays will be celebrated this year, ensure they will hear or see familiar faces, and prepare a safe space such as their room if they get too overwhelmed.
Remind older relatives about reuniting with family - Communication plays a critical factor during the holidays. It is important to let older relatives know that they will be seeing family members for the holidays this year, either virtually or in a safe setting recommended by the CDC. Utilize talking on the phone with family, FaceTiming, or emailing to consistently remind older relatives about the holiday celebrations with family members. With calm, constant communication, older relatives are prepared and excited to see their loved ones this holiday season.
Prepare all family members - If a certain member of the family is in charge of organizing and planning the holidays this year, another idea you may want to add to your to-do list is communicating with all your family members about the current situation with relatives who suffer from Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Going over a plan of action that includes how to adapt, how to communicate, and how to celebrate with older loved ones with family can help prevent any inconveniences and make the holidays run smoothly. This is a whole team effort, and working together can help your older loved ones feel amazing.
Preparing for the holidays is extremely stressful and tricky, especially with families who have loved ones who suffer from Alzheimer’s or Dementia. It is important to know that you are not alone, where if you need support, guidance, or insight into Alzheimer’s and Dementia, CareLinx has you covered. Choose from a variety of CareLinx Caregivers in your area who have experience or specialize in caring for Alzheimer or Dementia patients. We here at CareLinx want you to know we will always support and help create a loving atmosphere for your family. Interested in hiring a CareLinx Caregiver? Click here for more information!
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