Professional Opinion: Alzheimer's and the holidays -- looking out for the most vulnerable during the busy season
This week, Dr. Paul Mazzeo, a board certified neurologist with Coastal Neurology and medical director for the Beaufort Memorial Memory Center in Bluffton, discusses Alzheimer's disease.
Question: For many people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, the holidays can be a confusing and disruptive time in terms of changes in one's routine.
What advice can you give those who have family members with the disease and want to look out for loved ones during this busy time of the year?
Answer: The holidays may be a stressful time under normal circumstances. For people with dementia and their caregivers, this time of year may be particularly challenging.
The joy of family gatherings is often intermingled with feelings of loss over declining abilities. Several strategies may help caregivers to navigate this time.
Planning for the holidays is key. Involve the person with dementia in the preparations. Opening holiday cards together may help trigger long-term memories.
Hanging ornaments on the tree and stirring the Christmas cookie batter also can provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Try and avoid overstimulation with elaborate holiday displays of blinking lights and large decorations that can lead to disorientation. Lighted candles and decorations that may be mistaken for edible treats also should be avoided. Alcohol should be restricted.
You may wish to limit the size of gatherings if your loved one is easily confused and agitated.
Advising your guests ahead of time that the dementia sufferer may not remember them will limit the distress caused by "Do you remember me?" type questions.
A phone call to the person in advance of a visit will provide a happy anticipation to the arrival and may facilitate recognition.
Schedule gatherings at the best time of day for the individual. Limit the duration of gatherings to what you feel your loved one can tolerate. Realize that dementia sufferers fatigue easily, which often manifests as more confusion.
In addition, maintaining a routine is important. This provides an anchor in the here and now.
Gatherings should be held in the person's most familiar surroundings. For a person residing in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, however, the increased activity of other residents' friends and relatives visiting can lead to disorientation.
Use your best judgment whether your loved one feels more safe and secure with structured activities in the facility or at an outing with friends and family.
Gifts for someone with dementia should take in mind their impairments. An electric coffee or teapot that turns off automatically or calendars and medication holders are all items that many people with dementia can use to help them adapt to their illness.
Less practical but more emotionally gratifying gifts can be family photo albums, familiar music, recordings of church sermons and gift certificates for a hairstyle or manicure.
Avoid items that are breakable or irreplaceable.
If you are a caregiver, do not forget to reserve time for yourself. Set limits on events (and stick to them) to keep from being overwhelmed.
Despite the challenges of dementia, the holidays can still be a rewarding time for you and your loved ones.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
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This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 2:21 PM with the headline "Professional Opinion: Alzheimer's and the holidays -- looking out for the most vulnerable during the busy season."