Letter: Holiday tips to handle dementia
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Every 71 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive, fatal brain disorder that causes serious memory problems as well as loss of other physical and mental abilities.
Thousands of people in the Baton Rouge area are affected by the disease, and more than 83,000 people in Louisiana will develop Alzheimer’s by 2010. Caregivers often care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s for an average of eight to 20 years, during which personal demands increase and stress levels progressively rise. That’s why we are always on the move to find a cure and have developed an array of services and support systems to help caregivers and their families along their journey now, until we achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.
For most families, holidays are filled with opportunities for togetherness, sharing, laughter and memories. But holidays can also be filled with stress, disappointment and sadness. Here are some tips to help you and your family make the most of your time together:
For more information, please visit our Web site at http://www.alz.org/louisiana, or call Ashley Finney at (225) 930-0066. Toll free 1-800-272-3900.
Ashley Finney, associate director of advocacy and public affairs
Alzheimer’s Association
Baton Rouge
Thousands of people in the Baton Rouge area are affected by the disease, and more than 83,000 people in Louisiana will develop Alzheimer’s by 2010. Caregivers often care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s for an average of eight to 20 years, during which personal demands increase and stress levels progressively rise. That’s why we are always on the move to find a cure and have developed an array of services and support systems to help caregivers and their families along their journey now, until we achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.
For most families, holidays are filled with opportunities for togetherness, sharing, laughter and memories. But holidays can also be filled with stress, disappointment and sadness. Here are some tips to help you and your family make the most of your time together:
- Adjust expectations: Discuss the current situation with family members and set realistic goals for your celebrations. Consider asking others to assist with meal preparation or even hosting the event at their home.
- Involve the person with dementia: Maintain the person’s normal routine, but also ask him or her to help with preparing food, wrapping packages, handing you decorations or setting the table. Try to maintain your most cherished traditions, such as singing carols or watching favorite movies — you will be glad, and your loved one may find comfort in the familiar.
- Adapt gift-giving: Encourage people to buy useful gifts, such as an identification bracelet (available through MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®), clothing that is comfortable and easy to remove, or CDs of favorite music. Try to get the person with dementia involved in gift-giving, as well. Depending on the person’s abilities, have the person bake and package cookies, or buy a gift and allow the person to wrap it.
- Try to be flexible: Celebrating with a lunch or brunch may minimize confusion and sundowner symptoms that often appear during the early evening hours.
- Make time for yourself: Hire a sitter or have a friend or neighbor sit with your loved one so you can enjoy a visit with a friend, do some holiday shopping or just have a break. It is important for caregivers to maintain their own mental, physical and spiritual health, too.
For more information, please visit our Web site at http://www.alz.org/louisiana, or call Ashley Finney at (225) 930-0066. Toll free 1-800-272-3900.
Ashley Finney, associate director of advocacy and public affairs
Alzheimer’s Association
Baton Rouge
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