During the holiday season, Alzheimer’s caregivers face various challenges that can affect their overall well-being and caregiving experience. Various studies and expert insights highlight some common difficulties caregivers encounter during the holiday season.
Take the example of Melissa, for example. At 65, Melissa’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, the holidays have been extremely stressful for her. “Managing the holiday shopping and taking care of my mom is incredibly stressful for me. I handle everything from holiday decorations to shopping, organizing dinner parties, and simultaneously ensuring my mom’s medication, personal hygiene, and taking her out for walks – all on my own,” shares Melissa, 45.
Just like Melissa, many caregivers experience increased stress and emotional burden during the holidays. The pressure to maintain traditions and create a festive atmosphere while managing the daily responsibilities of caregiving can be overwhelming.
Changes in routine and unfamiliar environments can significantly disrupt the daily lives of individuals with Alzheimer’s, leading to elevated confusion, agitation, or anxiety. Caregivers often need to navigate these challenges, finding ways to adapt holiday activities to accommodate their loved one’s needs, which require extra planning and flexibility. “Since my mom’s diagnosis, we have observed a significant change in her personality. She feels uncomfortable being around too many people, struggles to identify her family, grandchildren, and friends, and experiences discomfort, as if strangers surround her. Each time our family visits, I have to show her old family albums to ensure she recognizes her loved ones,” adds Melissa. For the past few years, Melissa has been celebrating her holidays at home with her close family. She has stopped visiting her friends for dinners or attending late-night office parties to ensure her mom’s safety and comfort.
Consequently, social isolation has emerged as an issue of concern for Melissa and other caregivers like her during the holiday season. The caregiving responsibilities make it difficult for them to participate in social gatherings or events. This often leads to feelings of loneliness and the necessity to decline invitations in the best interest of their loved ones.
To support caregivers during the holiday season, we need to emphasize the importance of self-care and provide resources for assistance. Encouraging caregivers to seek support from family, friends, and local caregiver support groups can solve some of the emotional and practical problems they may experience.
Here are a few ways we, as members of the community, can support caregivers and individuals living with Alzheimer’s:
What Can We Do To Support a Caregiver During The Holidays:
Offer a helping hand: Reach out to caregivers and offer your assistance with practical tasks such as running errands, cooking meals, or providing respite care. Even small gestures can make a big difference in helping them manage their responsibilities.
Provide emotional support: Caregiving can be emotionally challenging, so lending a listening ear or offering a shoulder to lean on can offer much-needed support to caregivers. Show empathy and understanding for their experiences and validate their feelings.
Educate yourself: Learn about Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on individuals and caregivers. This can enable you to have more informed conversations, provide relevant resources, and offer meaningful support.
Be inclusive and understanding: When organizing social events or gatherings, consider the needs and limitations of individuals living with Alzheimer’s. Create an inclusive environment that accommodates their specific requirements, such as fewer people, quieter settings, or familiar faces.
Things Caregivers Can Do For Their Loved Ones Living With Alzheimer’s During The Holidays
1. Inclusion in Celebrations – Discover ways to engage your loved one with Alzheimer’s in holiday festivities. Despite their condition, involvement can range from simple tasks like packing cookies into holiday tins to assisting with decorations, gift wrapping, or sending greeting cards – activities that hold sentimental value for the person involved.
2. Safe Gift Selection – Compile a holiday wish list to ensure that gifts are appropriate and safe for someone with Alzheimer’s. Collaborate with your loved one and others who know them well to generate ideas, eliminating items that may not be suitable for their condition. Share the finalized list online for reference and gift selection.
3. Ensure Open Communication – Keep your family well-informed about your loved one’s Alzheimer’s condition and communicate expectations for the holiday season. Inform them about your loved one’s comfort levels and challenges, such as the preference for one-on-one conversations due to difficulties in handling multiple voices simultaneously.
4. Set Up a Routine – Uphold a consistent routine as much as possible, providing stability for individuals with Alzheimer’s. While special events are inevitable during the holidays, maintaining regular day-to-day activities helps prevent confusion, disruption, and unnecessary stress.
5. Daytime Gatherings – Opt for a holiday lunch or brunch instead of dinner, considering that Alzheimer’s symptoms may be more pronounced in the evening. Hosting gatherings earlier in the day can be more accommodating, and checking with assisted living communities for holiday meal options may be a viable alternative.
6. Create New Holiday Traditions – Create new holiday traditions that include your family member with Alzheimer’s. Engaging in activities like watching a favorite holiday movie together or enjoying a special meal at a restaurant can be convenient alternatives to established traditions. These can create meaningful moments and foster a sense of connection and joy during the holiday season.
7. Simplify Preparations – Simplify holiday preparations to reduce stress. As a caregiver, time constraints may limit your ability to engage in extensive holiday activities. Streamline processes by opting for online shopping, using gift bags instead of traditional wrapping, and adopting other time-saving measures.
8. Delegate and Seek Help – Recognize your limitations and seek assistance when needed. Delegate tasks to other family members, and hire professionals in your area to support you with catering, cleaning, and decorations. Acknowledging and addressing your limitations can significantly reduce stress.
9. Explore In-home Care Options – Hiring assistance can reduce stress, allowing you to run errands and attend events while ensuring your loved one receives the necessary care. If you cannot afford a professional, seek help from your sibling and close friends you trust.
10. Join online support communities – Engaging with other caregivers presents a valuable opportunity to share experiences, gather ideas, and establish a supportive network during challenging times. Connecting with fellow caregivers can provide a sense of understanding, empathy, and practical advice to navigate the ups and downs of caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer’s.
Making the Holidays Inclusive For Individuals With Alzheimer’s
While Alzheimer’s may bring changes, the love between you and your family remains constant, even if not always expressed overtly. Focus on the emotional connection and cherish every moment together. Make the season inclusive for them by approaching them with patience, understanding, and flexibility to create moments filled with warmth, love, and sweet memories.
