Dementia During the Holidays

By: Mara Botonis

The holidays can be a time of equal parts sentimentality and stress for any family. But, when you add in a loved one with dementia, those experiences can intensify.

Spending the Holidays with Loved Ones - It seems like every commercial and cover is heralding the holiday season with picture-perfect images to strive for. Ideas for enjoying the holidays all seem to center around the kind of traditions that you can see and touch. But what if all that really matters to you is how you and those around you feel?

Ways to Help Loved Ones with Dementia Enjoy the Holidays - Although your holidays may not be as picture-perfect as those portrayed in the media, you can still help loved ones with dementia enjoy the season by using these tips:

1. Be forgiving: Forgiving of yourself, your family, your loved one. No one is perfect. Mistakes are going to happen, things may have been said or done by your loved one or other family members that caused stress, but your ability to move past that can only support a happier holiday for all of you. Let go of past hurts, at least for now.

2. Be inclusive: Help your loved one feel like they are involved no matter where they are in the disease process by:

Asking for their help with easy activities ; Encouraging reminiscing; Including them in conversations; In later stages, simply offering a gentle touch or reassuring word.

3. Offer your loved one your best self: At least for part of each day. You know this version of you, the one that got enough sleep and feels appreciated and loved, the version of you that is kind and patient. The version of you that gives your loved one your undivided attention and avoids correcting them. Find that version of you and be that person for your loved one as often as you can.

4. Redefine success: Start your day focused on making more moments that really matter by identifying what is most important to you this year. The person we love is battling an incurable, progressive disease. Each holiday after this one will likely be harder on them, with them being able to enjoy things less and less. Keeping this in mind may help you feel better about saying “no” to things that might take you away from what is most impactful for you both. Maybe this is the year you forgo getting the baked goods distributed and instead, this is the year you spent time each day cuddled up on the couch together for a few minutes feeling truly connected.

It’s okay to spend time preparing for and enjoying all of the “things” that make up the holidays, but putting feelings ahead of the festivities for you and your loved one may end up being the best gift, the best way to celebrate the season of all. ■