How to Enjoy Not Just Survive the Holidays

Families Living with Alzheimer's Need Special Understanding

For most families, the holidays are filled with opportunities for togetherness, sharing, laughter and memories. For people caring for the 64,000 Coloradoans with Alzheimer's, the holidays can also be filled with stress, disappointment and sadness. Because of the changes caused by Alzheimer's, families as well as the person with the disease may feel a special sense of loss during the holidays. Caregivers may also feel overwhelmed by trying to maintain holiday traditions while providing care. In addition, there may be some hesitation about inviting family and friends over to share the holiday for fear they will be uncomfortable with behavior changes in the person with the disease.

Here are some suggestions for creating happy, contented and memorable holidays.

· Talk with family and friends about holiday celebrations. Make sure that everyone understands the situation and try to have realistic expectations about what works and what doesn't at this stage of the disease.

· Only do what is manageable. Consider a potluck dinner or ask others to host the holiday at their home.

· Familiarize others with the situation including:

·Changes in appearance that may have taken place since they last saw a loved one as well as problem behaviors they might see or experience.

· Have people introduce themselves by name no matter if they are an old friend or member of the family. "Hi, Sam it's Judy."

·Ask that people call before they visit.

·Identify someone to take the person with dementia to another quieter room if they appear to be getting anxious or upset (too loud or too crowded).

·For people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia:

·Ask them to help with stirring cookies/cake batter, wrapping packages, handing out/unpacking decorations or setting the table.

·Maintain the person's normal routine so that holiday preparations don't become disruptive or confusing.

·Keep gatherings small and visit shopping malls in the early or evening hours.

·Build on past traditions and memories. Sing old holiday songs but also experiment with new holiday traditions such as renting seasonal videos.

Gift giving:

Encourage people to buy useful gifts for the person with Alzheimer's such as enrollment in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return®; comfortable, easy-to-remove clothing; CDs of favorite music; videos; and photo albums.

Engage the person with the disease by baking cookies and packing them in tins or boxes to give as gifts. Create greeting cards with family photos or artwork captured in an electronic file and reproduced.

For caregivers; maybe a gift certificate for dinner out or a cleaning or household chore service or a promise to provide time "off" or a respite from caregiving.

Consider celebrating over a lunch or brunch, rather than at an evening meal, to work around the evening confusion or sundowning that affects some people with Alzheimer's. Keep the room bright and consider serving nonalcoholic drinks.

Don't forget the post-holiday letdown. In-home care even for a couple of hours can provide the caregiver with time to lunch with a friend and goes a long way toward reducing post-holiday stress.

For more information about caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, go to www.alz.org/co or call the 24 hour Helpline at 800-272-3900.

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association Colorado Chapter is the premier source of information and support for the more than 64,000 Coloradoans with Alzheimer's disease, their families and caregivers. Through its statewide network of offices, the Alzheimer's Association offers education, counseling, support groups, Medic Alert + Safe Return and a 24-hour Helpline, at no cost to families, and funds advancements in research to prevent, treat and eventually conquer this disease. The Alzheimer's Association advocates for those living with Alzheimer's and their families on related legislative issues, and with health and long-term care providers. For information call the Alzheimer's Association at 303-813-1669, the Helpline at 800-272-3900, or visit www.alz.org/co