Health Tip: Caring for a Loved One During the Holidays
Holidays are a time of happiness but they can also be quite stressful, especially for caregivers and their charges with Alzheimer's disease.
The National Institute on Aging offers these suggestions for caregivers:
- Keep up with family traditions, and, as much as possible, include your loved one with Alzheimer's disease.
- Understand and accept the changes that the disease brings, and be realistic in your expectations.
- Encourage visits from family and friends, but arrange them appropriately. Don't schedule too many at a time, and plan them when the person with Alzheimer's is likely to be at his or her best.
- Keep your loved one comfortable and happy by keeping the routine the same, and avoiding crowds and confusing situations.
- Ask for help so that you have time to relax and enjoy the holidays.
People with Alzheimer's disease should be kept busy, both mentally and physically. This can be a challenge.
The National Institute on Aging says building on current skills generally works better than trying to learn something new. The agency offers these suggestions:
- Keep activities simple and at the person's level.
- Offer more support as the person gets started, and break the activity into small steps.
- Don't push any activity if you notice the person getting agitated.
- If the person enjoys certain activities, try to make them part of a daily routine.
- Have the person assist in the entire routine. At mealtime, for instance, have the person help set the table, make the food and clean up afterward.
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