4 tips to help your loved one with dementia enjoy the festive season

The festive season is quick approaching, and for those who’re organising celebrations with household or mates, you is likely to be grappling with a seemingly countless to-do checklist. However as you make these plans, it’s essential to contemplate how one can greatest embody any mates or family members dwelling with dementia.

Whereas no two folks expertise dementia in the very same approach, dementia typically impacts the way in which folks course of and reply to their setting. An excessive amount of stimulation – like a variety of noise and exercise at a Christmas occasion – could be overwhelming and should trigger confusion or agitation.

Discovering methods to create a secure setting at house for the one you love with dementia will assist maximise the probabilities everybody has time.

Learn extra:
Why folks with dementia do not all behave the identical

1. Plan forward, however be versatile

Planning celebrations could be overwhelming for everybody concerned, and having extreme expectations can increase stress ranges. Attempt to preserve expectations life like and according to the present wants of your buddy or liked one dwelling with dementia.

For instance, folks with dementia might expertise adjustments of their urge for food or meals preferences, or difficulties chewing and swallowing. These adjustments may make among the issues in your festive menu unappetising or troublesome to eat. Be guided by the wants and preferences of the individual with dementia and preserve choices restricted to at least one or two particular meals if bigger banquets are prone to be overwhelming.

Issues can change shortly for folks dwelling with dementia and their talents will doubtless differ from day after day. Attempt to be versatile and have a backup plan in place. For particular occasions, plan to report speeches or ceremonies to share when issues are quieter.

In case you’re planning a big occasion, think about having a smaller gathering with the one you love with dementia and just some particular folks.

2. Keep on with the acquainted

The sudden look of a lot of decorations could also be overwhelming for an individual with dementia and set off a unfavorable sensory response or misery. Guarantee decorations are secure and acquainted and put them up slowly over a interval of some days.

Attempt to additionally persist with acquainted traditions and routines. Day by day routines are an essential approach of supporting folks with dementia and sudden adjustments might end in agitation and misery. Keep on with routine consuming, bathing, and relaxation occasions the place attainable all through the vacation interval.

For many individuals with dementia, long-term reminiscences are much less affected than more moderen reminiscences. Acquainted household traditions can due to this fact be a great way to reminisce. Household keepsakes or reminiscence books may also assist join with tales from previous celebrations.

3. Have a quiet house

Attempt to have a quiet place the place the individual dwelling with dementia can go if issues turn out to be overwhelming. Designating a assist one who can stick with them all through the day and take them to a separate room or space away from the motion may also help to maintain issues calm.

Having some acquainted objects or quiet music within the house is usually a good solution to block out the noise of actions and scale back agitation.

Learn extra:
Why is my liked one with dementia typically ‘there’ and typically not?

4. Be certain that everybody has a component

Everybody desires to really feel part of the actions on a big day, together with folks dwelling with dementia. Guaranteeing everybody has a task to play might imply modifying duties to swimsuit the talents of the individual with dementia.

For instance, for those who’re internet hosting an occasion at house, attempt to get your buddy or relative with dementia concerned within the kitchen by tossing the salad or serving to to set the desk.

Folks with dementia are nonetheless the identical individual, even when their talents have modified or they’ll not talk their wants and emotions like they used to. It’s essential to deal with everybody with dignity and attempt to embody your pals and family members with dementia in celebrations each time attainable.

Generally, you possibly can’t be collectively

Regardless of the most effective laid plans, typically it gained’t be attainable to share in festive celebrations with the one you love dwelling with dementia. Extra superior dementia, aged care customer restrictions and even simply distance can preserve many people aside from our family members.

Be ready for this separation to carry up your personal emotions of grief or disappointment. Take care of your psychological well being in addition to the individual with dementia.

Caring duties nonetheless largely fall to ladies and it’s essential to share the load. The place attainable, the vacations is usually a good time to consider giving main carers a break to assist them recharge for the 12 months forward.

In case you’re caring for somebody with dementia and want assist, Dementia Australia or Carer Gateway provide helpful sources.