How to Spend the Best Holiday with Someone with Alzheimer’s in Maryland
What are the best ways family members can spend quality time with a loved one during a holiday visit?
Bring a bag of tricks: snacks, coloring books, crafts, photographs or memorabilia. There are so many ways we can connect with each other even when a person can no longer talk or remember a shared history. Music – especially singing songs together – is a wonderful way to share an experience. Although people lose the ability to converse, their ability to sing may be preserved in a beautiful way.
Tactile projects, such as coloring or making cookies, are other ways to enjoy time together. Engage loved ones in ways that match their abilities: Perhaps they can hold a bowl or roll dough. It’s even meaningful if they simply sit at the table while others perform the tasks. You also can look at holiday cards together and use the visuals to make small talk.
People with dementia may lose their ability to have a conversation. Guests and caregivers can converse, but should make the loved one feel included even if they don’t respond. Don’t shy away from reminiscing as that can be a comfort to the caregiver. However, refrain from asking the loved one ‘Do you remember?’ or expecting them to give you details from the past. It’s also good to remind the loved one of your name and your relationship to them from time to time.
Here are Helpful Holiday Articles for Family Caregivers:
Adapting Family Traditions for an Aging Loved OneSharon Roth Maguire, MS, RN, GNP-BC Chief Clinical Quality Officer, BrightStar Care shows that as our loved one ages, it can be a challenge to honor certain traditions around the holidays. Older adults may not have the energy or physical ability any longer to host or attend a large family event. And if they do feel up to it, many seniors are on a fixed budget, and the additional cost of the holiday meal can strain their finances. Click to read more: www.brightstarcare.com/about-brightstar-care/resources/family-tradition-holidays/
6 Holiday Safety Tips to Prepare for Your Parent’s Visit
Sharon Roth Maguire, shares her holiday safety tips, including fall prevention tips to help you fall-proof your home. Click to read more: www.brightstarcare.com/about-brightstar-care/resources/holiday-safety-tips-for-seniors/
Smooth Traveling for Seniors This Holiday Season
How to make Travel easier for your elderly loved one and important things to remember that can help make traveling with a senior go smoothly. Here are some great considerations for traveling with a senior or to share with elderly loved ones who may be traveling this holiday season. Click to read more: www.brightstarcare.com/about-brightstar-care/resources/smooth-traveling-for-seniors-this-holiday-season/
BrightStar Care of Montgomery County provides 24/7 Holiday Care.
We know family caregivers provide care around the clock and we offer support 24/7 providing a full continuum of private duty home health care services including companionship, personal care, transportation, medication assistance, and skilled nursing. We proudly serve Germantown, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, Takoma Park, Kensington, Ashton, Sandy Spring
For more information on how BrightStar Care supports seniors and families, and to learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals, and home health care support for Montgomery County families and businesses – Please Click Here
Source:
https://www.newswise.com/articles/holiday-tips-for-caregivers-of-loved-ones-with-Alzheimer-s-and-dementia