Holiday celebrations are often joyous occasions that families look forward to all year, but they can be challenging for the millions of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The disease affects an estimated 5.7 million people in the U.S., and more than nearly 16 million people care for someone with the disease.
“The hustle and bustle that accompanies the holidays can be stressful for people living with Alzheimer’s,” said Monica Moreno, senior director, care and support, Alzheimer’s Association. “Changes in the daily routine, large gatherings and noisy environments – all holiday hallmarks – can create extra anxiety for someone living with (the disease) and other dementias.”
Terrie Montgomery, 61, of suburban Chicago, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015. In previous years, Montgomery took the lead in planning and hosting family gatherings, but confides that the disease has made doing so this year too difficult, so she is turning these responsibilities over to her daughters.
“I am doing less this year so I can enjoy the holidays more,” Montgomery said. “I’m letting my daughters do the cooking and not worrying about all the details that make the holidays stressful. The most important thing this year is just being with family.”
To help navigate holiday-related challenges, the Alzheimer’s Association is offering these simple tips to ensure an enjoyable holiday for all.
- Prepare Your Guests: The holidays are full of emotions, so let guests know what to expect before they arrive and tell them how they can help. Suggest activities to engage the person with Alzheimer’s or best ways to communicate with them. “Cross talk or simultaneous conversations can be challenging for people living with Alzheimer’s, so try engaging them one-on-one or in smaller group settings,” Moreno advises.
- Build on traditions and memories: Take time to experiment with new traditions that might be less stressful or a better fit with your care-giving responsibilities. If evening confusion and agitation are a problem, turn your holiday dinner into a holiday lunch or brunch.
- Involve the person living with Alzheimer’s: Depending on abilities and preferences, make sure to keep the person with Alzheimer’s involved in the celebrations, such as packing cookies in tins or helping wrap gifts.
- Plan ahead: When attending a holiday party, prepare the host for special needs, such as a quiet room for the person to rest when they get tired, away from the noise and distractions.
- Adapt gift giving to ensure safe and useful gifts: Diminishing capacity may make some gifts unusable or even dangerous to a person with dementia. If someone asks for gift ideas, suggest items people living with the disease can easily enjoy, such as comfortable clothing, favorite music, videos and photo albums.
More holiday tips can be found by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website. The organization’s 24/7 Helpline also provides reliable information and support to all those who need assistance. Call the helpline toll-free anytime, even holidays, at 1.800.272.3900.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate the disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without the disease. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
