Page 36 - SC Senior Living Guide

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by Johnsie Douglas, M.Ed.,LPC

1. Plan and prepare for the holidays. 3. Include your loved one in activities
It is so important to keep a routine they have performed in the past.
and to pare down crowds, traditional For example, setting the table, fold-
events, decorations, and family ing linens, assisting in the baking,
visits. Blinking lights can be over signing cards, and allowing them to
stimulating and disorienting for your shadow. Understand that they will
loved one diagnosed with a cogni- probably not be able to do the things
tive deficit such as Alzheimer’s and they have historically done; lowering
dementia. Routine will benefit your your expectations for their capabili-
loved one; try to adjust the schedule ties is a good start.
to adhere to the same times that your 4. Adapt gift giving
loved one usually has meals, similar Place holiday gifts in gift bags in-
resting breaks during the day, same stead of wrapping them with lots of
bedtimes, and medication adminis- tape and ribbon that are difficult to
tration at the same times.
navigate. Remember to buy yourself
2. Send an email or letter to visiting a present similar to a present that
family members to inform them of your loved one would have given you
what to expect. in the past. It may suddenly occur
For a sample holiday template, to your loved one that they have not
contact bought you a present, and this will
Johnsie.Douglas@uhsinc.com put them at ease.
Three Rivers Behavioral Health Pro- 5. Safety first and always
fessional Relations Representative
Tone down decorations, do not use
scatter rugs, avoid using wires across
floors to light decorations and omit
candle use. If your loved one is
visiting from a facility, place a baby
monitor in their room to alert you
should they try to get up during the
night.
6. Delegate
Allow each family member/neighbor/
friend to use their strengths to assist
your loved one. If someone is good at
errands and shopping, give them that
task. Ask the young family members