Preparing for the holidays can be overwhelming for most people, and the season can get even more fraught when you are caring for a family member with dementia, highlighting the challenges of dementia care during the holiday season. As a caregiver, you might feel conflicted between wanting to keep a close eye on everything and celebrating like you always used to. Here are a few tips to bring back the festive cheer just the way your family loves it, without hampering the well-being of your loved one.
Familiarity with visitors
Family and friends dropping in during the holidays is no surprise. However, for people living with dementia, an unfamiliar face appearing suddenly can be overwhelming.
Check-in with yourself and your loved one to make sure that you take visitors only when it is best suited for everyone. Before inviting people over, getting their faces familiarised through photographs and video calls can be immensely helpful.
Re-evaluating thresholds
Trying to operate as you did before the diagnosis or like the times when the condition was not as severe can make the holidays miserable. For instance, if you or your loved one used to host others during the season, choosing to opt out of that responsibility is understandable.
There might be guilt that bubbles up as a result of such decisions, but your priorities have changed. Accepting that and communicating the same with your family and friends might make things easier.
Danger with decorations
Something simple like decorating their space can bring so much joy while living with dementia. Make sure that no tripping hazards are present due to lights or other wiring. Leaving out lit candles or any flammable decorations can quickly become disastrous.
It is highly advised to keep the clutter away from the areas that see a lot of foot traffic. People with dementia may not remember that decorations are in place and might walk into them or end up with the decorations falling over them.
Sticking to the Routine for Dementia Care During Holiday Celebrations
While the holidays mean stepping away from routines for most people, living with dementia makes it difficult to do so. Even if it is the simplest ritual you have in place, continue it to prevent the disorientation that comes from the lack of one.
Brace for the impact
No matter how much effort you put into making sure everything goes smoothly, dementia can still surprise you in a new way, emphasizing the challenges of managing dementia care during the holiday season. Instead of anticipating an episode and being on edge, ensure you are well-prepared for damage control when it occurs.
Set a room aside for the person with dementia to retreat to when their distress level climbs. Enlist more people to help you keep track of things and inform everyone about specific aspects of the condition.
Moreover, remember that you are not alone in this.
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