How caregivers can take care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia this holiday season.
As the holidays approach, you may be planning to host family and friends. However, if you are currently caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia at home, then it’s important to understand that holiday preparations have the potential to stress them. Here’s how caregivers can take care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia this holiday season.
- Preparing Your Loved One
If you are having people over for the holidays, then having so many unfamiliar faces in their environment can cause stress for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. To make your loved one feel more comfortable, you should ease then into things. Start by talking with your loved one and showing them pictures of the people who will be coming to your home. Additionally, you can comfort them by serving their favorite foods and playing familiar music. Finally, you should prepare diversions ahead of your party, so you can distract your loved one if they start to exhibit problematic behaviors.
- Create Safe Space
Another way to keep your loved one calm is by creating a safe, quiet space where they can retire to if the stimulation gets to be too much. For instance, you can make your loved one’s bedroom a safety zone. Ask your guests not to enter the room and make sure that you make the room as familiar and comfortable as possible.
- Host Parties Early in the Day
People with Alzheimer’s and dementia often suffer from “Sundowner Syndrome.” This means that they tend to get more confused and aggressive as it gets later in the day. To avoid stressing your loved one out too much, host parties earlier in the day. This will improve your chances of hosting a successful party with minimal distress to your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
This is how caregivers can take care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia this holiday season. Do you run a home healthcare facility that cares for Alzheimer’s or dementia patients? If so, then it’s important that you protect your staff with the right business insurance. For assistance with your commercial coverage needs, contact the experts at PMC Insurance Group today.
