Home » Health & Wellness » Alzheimer's Research » Alzheimer's and the Holidays

Alzheimer's and the Holidays

© Karen Largent

As the holiday season approaches, the world seems to take on a more hurried and frantic pace. For a person suffering with Alzheimer's disease, as well as their caregivers, the holidays can be a difficult time.

There are things that can be done, simple tips and hints, to make the holidays easier and less stressful for both caregivers and AD sufferers alike.

Have smaller holiday gatherings. Dr. Gary Small suggests primary caregivers may want to write or call family members to update them on the patient's health and cognitive status. This also is a time when family members may recognize a cognitive change in a relative they haven't seen for a while.

Brenda Parris Sibley has a wonderful Alzheimer's Web Site. She offers a personal look at how she handles the holidays with her mother who has AD.

Simplify your decorating. Blinking lights can be distracting for AD sufferers. Have the AD sufferer help with simple holiday tasks, like decorating cookies or putting ornaments on the tree. Do not force the AD sufferer to participate if they resist. Try to stick with their daily routine as much as possible.

Break out the photo albums and share memories of holidays past. Holiday music is wonderful to play whether the sufferer can play the piano, clap or sing along to carols, or just listen.

The holidays are a time of family gatherings and happy events. Using common sense and some of the tips here and in the highlighted links provided should help make this holiday season a wonderful one.

The Alzheimer's Association of Northern Virginia has a great page of information on coping with the holidays.

The holidays also increase stress for the caregiver. Here is some advice on dealing with the stresses of the holidays. Another article from Healthline magazine, suggests perhaps a nice gift for a caregiver is a break or respite from the demands of being a caregiver.

The onset of Alzeimer's disease in a loved one can signal changes in the customs observed by most families. Please read this article by the University Extension of the Iowa State University. It offers wonderful ideas on holiday coping.

HOLIDAY CUSTOMS CHANGE WHEN OLDER RELATIVES CHANGE

Alzheimer's disease and related disorders can change family customs during the holidays. Changes also happen when illness causes loss of energy and physical strength.

Older adults who experience losses still need loving contact with the children in their lives, but some guidelines can help during holiday visits.

The copyright of the article Alzheimer's and the Holidays in Alzheimer's Research is owned by Karen Largent. Permission to republish Alzheimer's and the Holidays in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.