The holidays can be a fun time for everyone, if you set realistic expectations for yourself and your loved one. The noise and chaos of large holiday crowds can agitate and confuse an Alzheimer's patient - particularly if there are a lot of young, excitable and unpredictable children about—so it is best to try and avoid these situations, whenever possible. Consider foregoing crowded holiday parties, in favor of small, intimate gatherings with family and friends. For family and friends who may not have seen him in a while, make them aware that your loved one has good days and bad, and that there really is no way to predict which days will be good ones. Try to maintain your loved one’s normal daily schedule as much as possible during the holidays, which may mean arriving at functions late or having to leave early. If you inform your host or guests far enough in advance, they may be more willing to accommodate special requests for scheduling of festivities.
In all instances, try to minimize your loved one’s exposure to excessive noise, large crowds, and chaotic activities by making sure he has a quiet place to retire to, if he should become agitated. Along these lines, Alzheimer's patients usually fare better when they are allowed to visit with only one or two guests at a time, which enables them to better focus their attention. When your loved one’s family and friends go to visit with him, encourage them to introduce themselves with not only their names, but their relationship and other useful information. For example, they can say something like, “Hi Uncle Joe, I’m your nephew Ralph from Utah. When I was a kid, we used to have a great time fishing together with your brother Todd, my father.” This might serve to jog some memories, and could lead to an enjoyable conversation for both your loved one and the guest.
During the wintertime, it is important to make sure your loved one stays warm and comfortable.
- Dress them in layers so you can easily add or subtract clothing as necessary. Make sure they have a warm coat, hat, gloves, and waterproof insulated boots.
- Check for drafts -- sometimes their favorite spot to sit near the window can be quite chilly. On that token, if your home tends to be cold in the winter, make sure that at least the bathroom is warm for when your loved one needs to bathe.
- Provide additional blankets within easy reach for the bed should your loved one become cold at night.
- Be aware of the dangers posed from heating sources and holiday decorations. For example, in addition to supervising your loved one around Christmas trees, candles, radiators, space heaters and fireplaces, you may want to consider installing physical barriers to prevent accidental fires or injuries.
- Make sure outdoor walkways are shoveled and free of ice - you may need to hire a service if this is too much for you to handle on your own.
- Minimize the threat of winter colds and flu by getting flu shots and practicing good hygiene - wash your hands (and theirs) regularly or use instant hand sanitizer.
- The winter climate can be quite dry, so make sure to moisturize your loved one’s skin with lotion and lip balm to prevent uncomfortable, itchy dry skin and chapped lips.
