Coping With the Coming Holidays
The key to success for enjoying the holidays is to be prepared.
Dear Caregivers,
For many of us, the coming holidays bring a time when we celebrate cherished traditions and bask in the warmth of our relationships with close friends and community. For caregivers of a loved one with Alzheimer’s, however, navigating the holiday season can come with challenges. There are large gatherings, hubbub and noise, and an intensity of feeling that can be overwhelming.
The key to success, of course, is to be prepared. Thinking ahead can bring you and your loved one an enjoyable holiday celebration that can enable you to focus on family, fun, and the spiritual meaning of the days.
Here are some tips on how to get ready:
KEEP IT MINIMAL: The holidays can typically come with multiple events and activities. Make a list of all the plans and choose which ones will work best for your loved one, considering their needs, optimal level of interaction, and other preferences they may have. Try to keep the schedule as simple as possible and give plenty of time between sessions so that your loved one can get some rest.
STICK TO YOUR ROUTINES: As best you can, create your schedule based around your existing routines, as your loved one will appreciate the day-to-day consistency in their eating, sleeping, and taking of their medications.
TRY TO ENSURE THAT THE HOLIDAY VENUES ARE CALM AND SAFE: Holidays typically brings lots of people, and lots of people typically bring lots of noise and commotion. Try to limit the number of people at any particular gathering, and if possible, focus on playing soothing music and providing calm lighting. If you are traveling to another’s home, assess the environment for potential hazards such as loose rugs and exposed candles, for example. Make sure you know how to get your loved one to a nearby exit should the need arise.
MAKE YOUR LOVED ONE PART OF THE CELEBRATION: As best as you can, make your loved one a participant in the meal preparations and festivities. Even simple tasks such as laying out napkins, singing a part of a song, or helping with decorations can give them a sense of involvement and purpose. If you need to be apart from your loved one during the festivities, consider planning ahead and having another friend or family member ready to talk with your loved one or help them through a particular activity they will enjoy.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: No holiday advice from me is complete without reminding you that need to also focus on your own care during these hectic holidays. Make sure you get plenty of sleep, eat well, and take regular breaks for yourself. Remember, if you are not at your best, you will not be able to be your best for your loved one.
The holidays can be a time of great joy, spiritual renewal, and community cohesiveness. Being prepared will help you reduce your stress levels and make the most of these precious moments.
Here are some more tips for the holidays:
How to Manage the Stress of the Holidays:
Holidays are traditionally a spirited, happy time, but they can be challenging for caregivers, their loved ones, and their families and friends. There are ways to help maintain the enjoyment of the holiday time, however, and let everyone focus on the family, even if one of the family has Alzheimer’s Disease. Here are some tips on how to cope.
Caring from Afar: Tips for Long-Distance Family Caregivers
If you are one of the seven million caregivers who live more than an hour from the person in your care, you are very prone to additional stress and anxiety. Here are some ideas for how to get the best outcomes for you and your loved one.
Think FAST!
At busy, hectic gatherings, knowing how to use the "Think FAST" technique, which emphasizes Food, Activity, Story, and Trip, can help get your loved one “unstuck” from a distressing topic of discussion, and instead point them towards thinking about things that generate positive thoughts. Here how to do it.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
— Marcel Proust
