The holiday season is often filled with joy and cherished moments. However, for families caring for a loved one with dementia, it can also bring additional stress. Balancing caregiving responsibilities with holiday traditions can feel overwhelming, often bringing a mix of emotions like excitement, anxiety, and even sadness.
Fortunately, with thoughtful adjustments, you can create meaningful holiday experiences that are enjoyable and peaceful for both you and your loved one.
Celebrating the Holidays with a Loved One
Despite the challenges that come with memory impairment, the holidays offer opportunities for connection, reminiscing, and expressing love. Celebrating with your loved one who has dementia can still be deeply rewarding, even if traditions need to be simplified or modified.
Focus on creating a warm, familiar environment where they feel comfortable and engaged, whether listening to holiday music, baking family recipes, engaging in religious traditions, or simply spending quiet time together. These moments foster deep emotional connections, peace, and meaning throughout the holiday season.
Challenges Seniors with Memory Loss Face During the Holidays
Caregivers of those with dementia may find themselves coping with additional challenges during the holiday season as a result of louder environments, large gatherings, heightened emotions, or simply due to a change in routine. Those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia may experience:
- Discomfort due to overstimulation of shopping centers or festive gatherings
- Difficulty recognizing unfamiliar people and places
- Increased emotions due to the holiday atmosphere
- Confusion due to disrupted schedules
Those in the early stages of memory loss may also have concerns or anxiety about their memory loss being noticeable to others, which may cause them to want to withdraw from family, friends and social gatherings.
Caregivers often face a change in daily routine for them and their loved one with dementia during the holiday season, which can lead to agitation, confusion and increased stress. Balancing caregiving responsibilities with holiday demands – shopping, decorating, cooking, baking and parties – can feel overwhelming.
Many caregivers may hesitate to invite others to their gatherings, fearing guests might feel uncomfortable with the symptoms their loved one is experiencing due to changes in their memory. Additionally, the emotional pressure to maintain traditions while providing care can add to the sense of being stretched too thin.
Tips for a Calm and Joyful Holiday Season
The holiday season can be a wonderful time to create special memories, but it’s essential to adjust your approach when caring for a loved one with dementia. By making thoughtful changes, you can ensure that the holidays remain joyful and stress-free for both of you. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate this time with greater ease and comfort.
1. Adjust your expectations
It’s important to set realistic expectations for both you and your loved one. The holidays don’t have to be perfect. Focus on what truly matters – spending time together and creating calm, enjoyable moments. Simplify celebrations, and don’t hesitate to accept help from family and friends. Reducing the pressure to uphold every tradition will help ease the stress.
2. Stick to a routine as much as possible
For those with dementia, maintaining a routine is crucial to avoid confusion and discomfort. Keep regular schedules for meals and sleep whenever possible. If you’re hosting a gathering, plan it for a time when your loved one feels their best, such as mid-morning or early afternoon.
3. Involve your loved one in meaningful activities
Finding ways for your loved one to participate in holiday traditions can bring joy and a sense of purpose. Here are some ideas:
- Baking together: Preparing holiday cookies or family recipes can evoke fond memories.
- Decorating: Help them hang ornaments or set the dinner table.
- Reminiscing: Look through old holiday photos or listen to classic holiday carols.
- Crafts: Simple projects like making wreaths or holiday cards can be enjoyable – and mentally engaging.
4. Create a calm environment
Avoid overstimulating your loved one with excessive noise or blinking lights. Keep decorations simple and recognizable. If hosting a gathering, designate a quiet space where they can retreat if the festivities become too much.
5. Communicate with family and friends
Before gatherings, let family and friends know what to expect. Explain how to interact with your loved one and offer tips on engaging in gentle, familiar activities. Remind them that even if your loved one may not remember their name, they can still enjoy their presence.
6. Make time for self-care
As a caregiver, it’s essential to prioritize self-care during the holidays. Focus on the most meaningful activities for both you and your loved one, and set boundaries on what you can realistically contribute to celebrations. Remember it’s OK to say no if something is too much for you to handle.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family and friends, whether it’s with caregiving duties or holiday tasks. Also, make time for yourself – if an event isn’t suitable for your loved one, consider arranging respite care so you can attend without guilt and enjoy a much-needed break.
Holiday Adjustments to Consider
When planning your holiday celebrations, here are some helpful adjustments to keep things calm and enjoyable:
- Stick with the familiar: Consider keeping celebrations at home rather than venturing to unfamiliar locations. Alternatively, ask your family to host the event in a place that your loved one is already comfortable with.
- Simplify the day: If your loved one’s symptoms tend to worsen in the evening, try celebrating earlier in the day, perhaps over lunch or brunch, to avoid overstimulation or too much disruption to an evening routine.
- Delegate tasks: Lighten your load by asking family and friends to contribute dishes or cater meals. This can help you focus on caring for your loved one and enjoying the day.
- Limit guests: Reducing the number of people at gatherings can help create a calmer, more manageable environment for everyone.
Strategies for Gift Giving
Choosing the right gifts for someone with dementia can enhance their well-being and bring joy:
- Puzzles or dementia-friendly activities: These can provide mental stimulation and engagement.
- Easy-care clothing: Comfortable and practical clothing can be both thoughtful and useful.
- Photo albums or sensory items: Reminiscing through photos or enjoying sensory stimulation can spark pleasant memories.
- Favorite music or classic movies: Familiar tunes or movies can offer comfort and enjoyment.
Travel Tips
If you plan to travel with your loved one during the holidays, keep these tips in mind for a smoother experience:
- Stick to the familiar: Familiarity reduces stress, so avoid trying new forms of travel when possible. Avoid transportation or locations that will be overly loud and/or busy to avoid confusion, fear or overstimulation.
- Take along comfort items: Bringing along a favorite blanket or other comforting objects can help ease anxiety for a loved one with memory loss.
- Maintain daily routines: Try to keep things as consistent as possible during your travels, especially regarding meals and rest. Maintaining a routine will help to provide a sense of peace.
- Register with services like MedicAlert/Safe Return: This can provide extra peace of mind and safety when traveling with someone who has dementia.
Celebrating the Holidays in a Memory Care Community
At Bridges® by EPOCH, we understand the importance of celebrating the holidays with family, whether your loved one is at home or in a memory care community. Holidays in a memory care assisted living community like Bridges® by EPOCH can still be meaningful and comforting for your loved one. Festive environments, holiday activities and celebrations are designed with the needs of memory care residents in mind, allowing residents and their caregivers to enjoy stress-free celebrations in a supportive environment.
We encourage families to visit and engage in cherished traditions together. When visiting, consider bringing familiar holiday items or a favorite treat and opt for quieter times of day to celebrate. At Bridges® by EPOCH, our compassionate teams are dedicated to creating a calm, joyful atmosphere where residents feel the love and warmth of the season. Find the closest community to you and learn how Bridges® by EPOCH can help you and your loved one celebrate the holidays with peace of mind.