Skip to main content

Make the Holidays Easier for a Loved One Living With Alzheimer's Disease


If a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you may need to lower your expectations of what to expect from them during the upcoming holidays. When you include them in family gatherings, you must take precautions to not let them get over-stimulated as boisterous, noisy activities can agitate and confuse people with dementia. Experts say it is better to have a small get-together or to set aside a quiet part of the house where relatives can take turns visiting the person in a more intimate setting.

The goal is to make the holiday season as easy on you as it is on the person with Alzheimer's disease so everyone can focus on enjoying their time together. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that you keep plans simple and maintain your loved one’s daily routines as much as possible to avoid upsetting them. They also advise celebrating early in the day and to have a noon meal rather than a late dinner.

If you are visiting your loved one at a memory care community, bring along some pictures of the family and take the time to quietly sit and talk about them. If you are bringing your loved one to your home, play familiar music and serve foods you know they like. Set time aside to do some activities with the family such as making a memory book or telling stories. Other suggestions include taking a short walk or decorating cookies together.

Be sure to warn family members and friends about any changes in their behavior and condition so they do not expect more than the person has the ability to offer. Remind them that Alzheimer’s can diminish a person’s ability to communicate and that it is helpful to speak slowly and in a relaxed tone. The Alzheimer’s Association says to avoid saying things like, “Don’t you remember?” Also, address the person by name and be patient, stay calm and supportive.

Along with assisted living, Houston’s MorningStar at River Oaks offers 27 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood for the specialized care of individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our holistic care includes wellness programs and activities that leverage the power of dance, music, art, exercise, animals and aromatherapy to heal and comfort. We recognize that the essence of the individual remains despite the extent of memory loss, and that our job is to find ways to connect with and nurture that essence. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care Houston TX offers.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Advantages That Come With Aging

An article from National Geographic explores the concept that there are ways our health can improve as we grow older, if we are open to it. Michelle Feng, chief clinical officer at Executive Mental Health and a licensed psychologist specializing in geriatric psychology and medicine, explains it this way: “Everyone talks about aging as this decline, but aging is just living. It literally means you are alive.” The key may lie in how we think. Studies find that holding positive views on old age is related to better cognitive health. It may also result in fewer mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Some studies even show those who think positively about the aging process live longer. One of the ways our health may improve with age is our ability to handle stress. Experts believe the experience we gain from going through various challenges throughout our lives prepares us with tried-and-true strategies on how to better manage today’s stressful situations. Moreover, a study i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Knee Pain in Seniors

As we age, our knees take a beating. We use them to walk, stand and climb stairs, and they are used when we get up from a sitting or lying position. When our knees hurt, everyday tasks are harder to do. Chronic knee pain is often a form of arthritis that occurs when the cushioning cartilage protecting the knee joints starts to wear down. As more cartilage wears away, the space between the bones narrows resulting in bone rubbing against bone. Knee arthritis is a deteriorating condition, and in addition to pain, can cause deformities such as knock knees or bowlegs. Experts explain there are three forms of arthritis that affect the knee. The first is a degenerative joint disease called osteoarthritis; another is the autoimmune disease known as rheumatoid arthritis; and finally post-traumatic knee arthritis that happens with a history of injury or trauma. Factors increasing your risk for knee arthritis include the wear and tear that comes from age, being overweight, heredity, gender, and h...
Post a Comment
Read more

Independent and Assisted Living in Pasadena

Since our company was founded in 2003, we have believed it is a privilege to “cast a new light” on senior living guided by the following precepts: to honor God in our business practices and relationships; value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well. In addition, we firmly believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Pasadena. CA’s MorningStar community may be the place for you. MorningStar of Pasadena is designed to provide seniors with stress-free living, as we handle the maintenance, landscaping, and housekeeping. This leaves you free to pursue your interests, explore new hobbies, travel and meet new friends. Our luxury community provides all the services, resort-style amenities, and programs to ensure residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. Starting with a 5-Star dining service that includes meals prepared largely...
Post a Comment
Read more