November Newsletter

Brilliance Dementia Support & Consulting 

November Newsletter

"When A flower doesn't bloom you change the environment in which it grows not the flower."

"The greatest gift of the holidays is time spent with the people who feel like home.”

Tips for the Holidays 

Help you and your loved one keep the holidays bright:

 

• ­Try not to overstimulate with lights, decorations, and guests.  Due to brain changes the person cannot process many different stimuli.  Keep it simple and small.

• Check for cords, rugs and other tripping hazards.  With decreased vision and balance many unexpected things can be a fall risk to loved ones living with dementia.  Look around the environment, keep walkways clear.

• Keep your energy positive and calm.  People living with dementia can sense the energy in the room.  If it feels like chaos and tension, they will react.

•  Maintain consistent routines.  Routine is comforting and easy to process. Keeping a consistent routine as much as possible can allow your loved one to remain calm and help them to enjoy the holiday.

Find out more about Brilliance

MORE Tips for the Holidays!

•  Involve your loved one in simple holiday tasks.  Modify the task to its easiest level then increase the difficulty as needed. Decorate the Holiday tree while providing one ornament at a time, look at holiday cards while starting with one card at a time, bake a holiday treat allowing the loved one to perform one task at a time.

• Do all tasks for short periods of time.  Do not try to cram all of the decorating in one day. Do short tasks over several days. People living with dementia can be overwhelmed easily. Watch for signs of stress and end the task BEFORE tension begins.

• Keep communication simple. Start with one step directions or requests. “Please pass the stockings” then once completed then “lets hang them up”.   If relatives from out-of-town visit have them use their names in conversation. “Hi grandma, its Zoe! It's good to see you”.

• It's a great time to reminisce.  You'd be surprised what may come up. Reminisce and ask questions about holidays past, traditions and family memories.

Read this article: The Holidays and Alzheimers

 Plans should accommodate the person living with dementia not the other way around.

 If you would like to read previous Newsletters,

Head to the website and check them out!!

Click here to find previous newsletters!

"Dementia doesn’t prevent someone from feeling the warmth, love, and laughter of the holiday season … By being proactive, adaptable, and inclusive of the person’s wishes and abilities, caregivers can help create a joyous, dementia-friendly holiday season.” — Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

I hope you've enjoyed the newsletter but if you didn't and would like to be taken off of my email list please reply and let me know   This is NOT a replacement for healthcare.  This is not considered healthcare advice.  Please consult your loved one's healthcare providers for best practices and recommendations for your situation.