The holidays can be a difficult time for families with loved ones who have dementia.
There’s no doubt about it, the holidays are a stressful time, but when your loved one has dementia, it can make the holidays even more stressful. As stressful as the holidays are, they also give provide us with a break from everyday life so that we can enjoy spending time with our family and friends. No one should be left behind during the holidays, and with the following tips from our memory care experts in Chapel Hill, you can help your loved one who has dementia enjoy a happy holiday season:
#1. Prepare all of your guests ahead of time:
Anyone present at your holiday get-together needs to understand that your loved one has dementia. It’s also important to warn guests ahead of time about any behaviors your loved one may be exhibiting recently, like cursing, wandering, aggression, etc.
#2. Be wise about the time you schedule the event.
Some people who have dementia do better at certain times of the day, like in the morning or the afternoon. Plan your holiday event around your loved one’s best time of the day to avoid preventable issues.
#3. Keep your get-together low-key.
If there are a lot of loud, startling noises and lots of people around, it could easily frustrate or confuse someone who has dementia. To avoid unnecessary stress and confusion, be sure to keep your holiday get-together quiet and low key.
These are just a few of the many things you can do to create a happy holiday for your loved one with dementia. Please stay tuned for our next blog to learn more.
