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How to Spend the Holidays with Loved One Living with Dementia

It is the time of year where people across the globe spend time with family and loved ones to celebrate the holidays. While it is a time to share joy, it can be a time where others may feel anxious. For some, that feeling of anxiety stems from having a loved one who is diagnosed with dementia. Despite it being a time for celebration, families who are affected by a dementia diagnosis often find it difficult to see a loved one struggle with daily tasks. To help rediscover a sense of joy, Visiting Angels put together a list of tips to help you celebrate the holidays with a loved one who has dementia.

celebrating the holidays with family
  1. Maintaining a Routine -  Maintaining a routine helps those with dementia find their way throughout the day. Dementia makes it hard to learn new things, so by sticking to their routine, you help them find a sense of normalcy. 
  2. Letting Them Help - Letting them help around the house makes them feel prepared to participate. Wrapping presents, helping bake cookies, and even helping decorate the house helps them feel useful and calms them down. 
  3.  Create a Retreat - The holidays typically call for large gatherings for family. With the amount of people and the level of noise, it can be overwhelming for your loved one. It's best to have a room dedicated for them to retreat to to rest and enjoy a moment of peace and quiet.
  4. Keep It Simple - For many, the holidays are a time to be joyous and celebrate - even if it means having an extravagant celebration. But for those living with dementia, it can be overwhelming. It's recommended to consider how they feel and stick to what they're use to.
These tips will help you and your loved one celebrate the holidays together. To read more about these tips in greater detail, visit: https://www.visitingangels.com/puntagorda/how-to-celebrate-the-holidays-with-a-loved-one-living-with-dementia-weekly-message_2166.


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Location: Punta Gorda, FL, USA

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