The holidays are meant to be times of joyful celebrations, family gatherings, love and traditions. For some, especially those living with dementia and those caring for those living with dementia, the holidays can also be overwhelming, stressful, sad or disappointing.
Here are some tips from Cole Smith, Brightview's Director of Dementia Care, to help you and your loved one enjoy the season:
- If you ask your loved one to help with a task and they say "no", it could simply mean they aren't sure how to get started or how to complete the task, so starting it with them may be helpful.
- Have a plan, stick with it, but also be flexible. Your loved one may wake up on the day you plan to celebrate and not feel up for it - that is OK.
- Have a prep call with family members to set expectations, provide education and an opportunity for them to ask questions about your loved one, the changes due to dementia and ways to make their visit successful for everyone.
- Everyone needs to be needed. Consider ways of engaging your loved one in the planning and execution of the holidays that can add to their feeling of purpose.
Below are two other helpful resources to read and share with your family and friends:
About Cole: A graduate of the University of Southern California's Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, the world's most renowned institution on aging, Cole is a master's-prepared gerontologist and develops dementia care strategies that ensures dignity and respect for all. Cole has a strong background in caregiver field training and the Alzheimer's Association Roundtable and the Argentum Memory Care Roundtable tap Cole regularly for his valuable insights.
Brightview Senior Living builds, owns, and operates award-winning vibrant senior living communities in eight states along the East Coast: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. We offer senior Independent Living, Assisted Living, Enhanced Care, and Wellspring Village™, a specialized neighborhood for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Schedule a personal visit to experience our communities firsthand.
