Alzheimer's and the Holidays

Top 2. Nov 22, 1997 3:29 PM

» MorningStar - Hey Karen! I am making the rounds today! ;-) Long time no see or

Hey Karen! I am making the rounds today! ;-) Long time no see or hear! And where in the cyberspace is your link to your home page? Did I miss something?

Thanks for the wonderful article! I sure needed some of the tips you listed here! On December 19th, I will be going to Florida to visit my Grandparents and to see my Papa in the nursing home. He is holding his own I am so happy to say, although I know he is dying from this dreadful disease, it is such a blessing to know that he seems to be doing good despite the ravages that are taking place in his body. Hopefully he will "be there" when I arrive in Florida, for I really would like to see him one last time, irregardless of whether he knows me or not!

Take care of yourself sweetie! You are always in my thoughts and prayers! Come by and visit me sometime at my page when you get some time! I would love to "see" you again!

Yours For A Healthier Today!

In Friendship!

Desra Dawn Morning Star

Health and Nutrition Editor

-- posted by MorningStar

Top 3. Dec 1, 1998 5:54 PM

» Margot - about older Grandchildren

Hi Karen, I just reread you article. There are some wonderful ideas there.

Here's my problem; My Grandfather is 88 years yound and suffers from AD. Last year, on Christmas, he cryed because he had forgotten it was Christmas. We tryed to make light of it and he started to enjoy the day. It was much harder on us, his grown Grands. We were hart broken at his tears of embarasement.

How do We get through this, if it happens again this year? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-- posted by Margot

Top 4. Dec 1, 1998 6:21 PM

» Karen_Largent - Dear Eileen

It's hard to see a loved one in tears, especially someone you all looked up to as children. Begin by reminding him each day that Christmas is coming. Show him the decorations, gifts, have him help wrap and while doing this, remind him of Christmas past, be specific about memories. As the day gets closer, keep to his regular routine. If he still forgets and becomes emotional, give him a hug, tell him it's OK, and continue with your holiday traditions. Don't let him or others belabor the point of his memory loss. Enjoy the moments as they come!!

-- posted by Karen_Largent

Top 5. Dec 1, 1999 9:59 AM

» biogardener - Stick to the activities which are familiar

Christmas for my mother was lots of fun, because we stuck to the activities to which she had been accustomed all of her life. We never got caught up with the hustle and bustle of North American Christmas. We stuck with the Sunday school concert and lots and lots of music as we had done for generations. We don't have big dinners either. Having too many people around would have been too hard on an Alzheimer sufferer, because she did not remember who any of the relatives were, not even her own children, except for the few people she saw daily.

For us, it would have been impossible to forget that it was Christmas, because daily I sang the German Christmas carols with her. We even sang harmony together. My mother never lost her musical ability, in fact it got better as her disease got worse. She started playing the piano by ear which she had never done before. And of course, she still knew all the songs of her childhood by memory. All stanzas of every song. That was a real blessing. When things got tough, I could always change the subject by starting to sing one of my mother's favorite songs and she would join me immediately, singing alto to my soprano as she had done all her life.

-- posted by biogardener

Top 6. Dec 4, 1999 9:56 AM

» Karen_Largent - Reply to Eileen

Hi Eileen, I do believe that at times Alzheimer's takes a much harder toll on the family than the sufferer. One suggestion is to not even mention that it is Christmas!! If your dad wonders what's going on you can say you are simply celebrating, life, family and love!! Which is really what Christmas should be about anyway. What do you think of that idea?

-- posted by Karen_Largent