6 pieces of Holiday Advice

We were on a call last week with Alzheimer’s caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s talking about ways to make the holidays easier for everybody involved. Here are some of the main points of this conversation:

HELPFUL HOLIDAY HINTS

• Keep your expectations reasonable.
• Especially in the later stages, plan on having multiple smaller celebrations rather than the whole family gathering all day.
• Don’t be disappointed if your loved one with Alzheimer’s can’t be with you the entire day. Make arrangements for him to be able to rest in his room or return to his facility once he’s had enough.
• Make adjustments to fit his needs. Don’t put up the blinking lights or as many decorations this year.
• Let her sit at the end of the table instead of the middle so she can better see who she’s looking at and not have as much background noise.
• Be able to let go of what was. Change your focus to what is and find the beauty in that. Be in the moment and enjoy that moment.

To read the entire article on holiday advice from a person with Alzheimer’s , including advice on talking to your family and making sure to get through to those who may be in denial about the situation, visit The holidays from the point of view of a person with Alzheimer’s.