Holidays are Challenging for Caregivers

Many caregivers have mixed feelings about holidays. They may have happy memories of the past, but they also may worry about the extra demands that holidays make on their time and energy.

Here are some ways to balance holiday-related activities while taking care of yourself and a loved one with dementia:

Safety first. Be sure holiday decorations are secured, cords are not loose and traffic areas are clear.
Simplify, simplify, simplify! Your everyday life requires much time and energy. Don’t add a lot of stress. Think of simple pleasures like taking a walk or taking a drive to view decorations. Prepare a special food together but keep it simple.
Take care of yourself. As difficult as it is to find time for rest, regular meals and exercise, try your best. Enlist friends to sit with your loved one.
Set your own limits. You do not have to live up to the expectations of friends or relatives. Your situation is different now.
Involve the person with Alzheimer’s in simple holiday preparations, or have him or her observe your preparations. Participating may give the person the pleasure of helping and the fun of anticipating and reminiscing.
Simplify meals and decorating. You don’t have to do everything you used to do. Find one tradition that is not too demanding and emphasize its connection with the past.
If visitors are desired, limit them and find a time when your loved one is at his or her best.
If your person with dementia gets upset or overstimulated, have some quiet distractions in your playbook, such as looking at photos or going for a walk.
Make sure there is a quiet space where the person can rest and have time to recharge.
Try to maintain your daily routine as much as possible and avoid noise, loud conversations, loud music, lighting that is too bright or too dark, and having too much rich food or drink (especially alcohol).
If you receive invitations to events that your loved one cannot attend, consider going yourself. Ask a friend or family member to spend time with the person while you’re out.