Read and discover twelve ways of a more meaningful Christmas with a loved one with dementia. Christmas can be a very confusing time for someone with memory loss. Each personality is different, so grab the best of these ideas for making it through these mid- December days without Skipping Christmas.
A Favorite Movie of Christmas
Bring back some favorite memories back by sharing an afternoon or several afternoons with old Christmas movies and favorite snacks!
Skip the Big Party of Christmas at Your House
No, don’t skip Christmas, just don’t have the big party at your house. Go to a relative’s home at a time of day when your loved one is at his or her best for coping with social situations. Keep the visit short, so as to not be exhausting.
Keep the Christmas Cards Coming
Open Christmas cards together. Send your loved one a card through the mail, even if you live together! Have your loved one put stamps on envelopes you prepare to send out. Have your children bring their cards for him or her to help with the stamps.
Smaller Christmas Socials at Home
Invite your relatives or friends over, one smaller group at a time. Plan simple lunch sandwiches or desserts rather than a whole meal. It may take planning several two to four person gatherings over a couple of weeks. But, this would be worth having a more peaceful environment for all. On the other hand, you may want a few visits at other people’s homes for a chance to get out. The idea is to keep it simple and short.
Tailor Christmas with Grandchildren
Have the grandchildren bring something they’ve made at school. Watch a child’s favorite Christmas movie at your house.
Sing Christmas Carols
Invite a small group of two to four people who enjoy singing Christmas music to sing as a group with you.
Listen to Christmas Music
We all have our favorite musicians and/or songs. Listen to favorites several times a week.
Read favorite Christmas Stories
There is an array of shorter and longer Christmas stories and poems. Read something familiar together.
Keep Others Informed of your Christmas Plans
Let friends and family know that things will be simpler and smaller at your house this year.
Encourage others to Spend Time:
People who visit need to know that the person with dementia may enjoy their company more than their material gifts. Spending some one-to-one time during Christmas helps family members with dementia feel engaged.
Give visitors activities to Do
Activities can make conversations easier, so recommend or provide something enjoyable for everyone. This may include puzzles, legos, looking through old photos, of family or your town, going through cards, etc. Taylor this list to personalities involved.
Plan Routine Quiet Time
Routine quiet time during the Christmas season gives the body rest and the mind a chance to regroup. Rather than planning outings or visitors for several days in a row, plan to rest. We all need a break from constant activity, even throughout the year. So, take a break between shopping trips and visiting to enjoy the “safe” home routine. Be honest with what you can handle.
Use these ideas, as they work for you and your situation. Christmas is a good time of year to bring back memories and to create memories with those you love. Enjoy your Christmas with a loved one with dementia
Merry Christmas!
December 11, 2017
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