Having a Dementia Friendly Holiday
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Christmas is the day that holds all time together. Alexander Smith
The Holiday Season and can be both fun and stressful. But how does a family approach the Holiday Season when caring for someone who has Dementia or Alzheimer?
Deborah Shouse is a dementia advocate and the author of Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together . Through her own personal experience of caring for her Mother, Deborah has a keen understanding of the importance of preparing for a dementia-friendly holiday so that everyone can be safe and secure while enjoying the holidays.
Deborah offers some sage advice on how to choose holiday activities; explaining the needs of the person living with dementia to family and guest, creating a quite space available for down time while in the midst of the festivities. My personal favorite is Deborah’s suggestion that a family member or friend take turns being around the family member with dementia in order to answer a quick question or to just make them feel comfortable a large gathering of people.
When memory loss is first detected in a loved one or friend, it can be troubling for the person affected, but also for the entire family and friends. Too often, people living with dementia are entertained instead of engaged. Connecting in the Land of Dementia shows us how to engage and connect with people who are living with memory loss and dementia.
On this version of Healing Ties, Deborah provides us with some timely tips to help caregivers and their caree’s have a dementia friendly holiday season.
Listen in and learn how Deborah Shouse is creating Healing Ties all around us!
