Even though this is supposed to be “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, when you are a caregiver for a loved one with dementia, celebrating Christmas can become challenging.
When my Mama, who had dementia for well over a decade was in the early stages of the disease, she was still aware of seasons and most holidays. As time went on, she became less so. Dementia stole her ability to look forward to Christmas, birthdays, or any other previously meaningful day or time of the year. The pages turned on the calendar, but her days remained the same.
Tag: Christmas
Defeating Dementia’s Christmas Blues
My Mama had a wonderful tradition of writing an annual Christmas letter to send to all our family and friends at Christmas time. She was also an amateur photographer – she even turned a small bathroom into a darkroom. So, every year, she would either take a photo of my siblings and me or use the camera timer and get a snap of the entire family to include in the letter.
Over the Rhine – from Germany to America
I’d like you to meet Jerry and Ilse Cauble. I hope you enjoy their story as much as I did.
As a child, Ilse remembered that their family always had an Advent Calendar – which was first used by Germans – to count the days in anticipation of Christmas beginning in early December. She also recalled that the children were not allowed to see the tree until Christmas Eve. The room the tree sat in was closed off while her Mother decorated it festively with balls, handmade ornaments, and candles. Everyone waited excitedly for the moment when the candles were lit and the tree was revealed. The children were also excited about the pending arrival of a beautiful angelic figure with blond hair and wings referred to as ‘Christkind’, (whom they never actually saw) on Christmas Eve. Christkind left them presents such as a small sack of fruit and candy.
Christmas gift ideas for loved-ones with dementia
Once friends or loved-ones begin their journey down the path of dementia, gift giving becomes much more difficult. Previous interests change or fall away. Abilities diminish, concentration and focus shorten as senses dull. Warm socks, stretchy pants and button-up tops may make dressing easier, but finding something your loved one would enjoy can also make…
Smile For a While and Let’s Be Jolly…
The takeaway here is that smiles might just be the best Christmas gift you can give out all season long…and best of all, they’re free!
It’s beginning to look , (smell & sound) a lot like Christmas
Since the Christmas season is chalk full of sensory delights, this is the perfect time to take advantage of anything that could stir up memories in your loved one.
Activity ideas to help when your loved-one is bored or fidgety
Once you begin to look, you will discover a whole world of items designed to help give loved ones’ fingers something to do and perhaps reduce periods of agitation.