The holiday season at Kensington Place Redwood City is filled with festive celebrations and the spirit of togetherness. At the same time, we recognize that families caring for loved ones with dementia may face additional considerations during these times.
To support our community, we are thrilled to invite you to our special event, “Holiday Tips for Joyful Connection When Your Loved One Has Dementia,“ on Dec. 5.
Join us for an interactive workshop designed to ease the stress of holiday caregiving and enhance your family gatherings with meaningful connections.
Leandra Sims, our Memory Care Manager and certified Positive Approach to Care (PAC) coach, will lead a session sharing effective PAC techniques to enhance communication between caregivers and their loved ones.
Participants will also receive interactive gift boxes to enrich connections and brighten the holiday season.
RSVP to secure your spot at this valuable event. To get you in the spirit, we’re offering the best holiday tips for caregivers, focusing on creating meaningful activities with loved ones.
Reducing holiday stress as a caregiver
Suppose you’re planning to travel this holiday season to visit family or host festivities at your home with a loved one who has dementia.
In that case, it’s important to consider how new environments and routines might affect them.
Sensory sensitivities are common in dementia, and maintaining a calm and structured environment can help ensure everyone enjoys the holiday season more comfortably.
Here are a few tips on how to plan to reduce your caregiver stress and stress on your loved one with dementia.
1. Keep it simpler than normal
The most special moments come from the simplest things. Consider limiting gifts to one per person or even agreeing to skip gift-giving altogether as a family.
Instead of cooking an elaborate meal, opt for easy dishes or a relaxed buffet. Focus on quality time rather than perfection.
2. Limit sensory inputs (lights and noises)
Large family gatherings can be overwhelming for someone with dementia. Too much noise and activity can lead to confusion, anxiety, and irritability.
Think about hosting smaller gatherings or spreading our visits over a few days.
3. Plan early and thoroughly
Start planning by making detailed lists for meals, decorations, and who’s responsible for doing what. This way, you won’t be scrambling at the last minute.
Plan ahead to prepare for any potential challenges, such as managing incontinence during travel. Consider having your loved one wear incontinence briefs and pack extra supplies to handle any situation with ease and dignity.
4. Don’t try to do it all yourself—delegate to other family members
It’s easy to do too much, especially when caring for someone with dementia. It’s okay to ask for help from family members.
Delegate tasks to family members or friends, whether cooking a dish, decorating, or handling invitations.
How to stay calm during the holidays as a caregiver
The holidays can be particularly challenging when you’re feeling the strain of caregiving. You often receive well-meaning advice like “get help” or “make time for yourself,” but finding the right support isn’t always straightforward.
Sometimes, help isn’t readily available, or your loved one may feel most comfortable with only you providing their care. It can be difficult when others don’t fully grasp the complexities you’re managing.
The following are practical tips to help you stay calm during the holidays, considering caregivers’ challenges.
5. Acknowledge your feelings
Given the challenges of caregiving, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or even burned out at times. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings as a normal response to your situation.
Allowing yourself to experience these emotions can be the first step towards finding peace.
6. Set boundaries with others
If friends or family members offer support such as, “Let me know if you need anything,” consider giving them specific tasks if you’re comfortable doing so.
For example, ask if they can pick up groceries, run an errand, or stay with your loved one for an hour while you rest. If they can’t help, at least you’ve clarified your needs.
7. Find small moments for yourself
While an extended break might not be feasible, try to carve out brief periods during the day just for you.
Maybe it’s enjoying a cup of tea while your loved one naps or listening to a favorite song that lifts your spirits. Even a few minutes can make a difference.
8. Plan for stressful moments
Think ahead about situations that might be particularly tough and have a simple plan in place.
If certain topics tend to cause tension, steer conversations differently. If your loved one becomes agitated in crowds, plan quieter activities.
How to involve a loved one with dementia in holiday activities
Including your loved one in holiday festivities can be a challenge at times, but it’s possible with a bit of patience and flexibility. Here’s how you can make it work.
9. Using memory aids to support your loved one
Dust off old photo albums or play their favorite holiday songs. Familiar sights, sounds, and aromas can spark memories and make them feel more connected.
10. Communicate clearly, slowly, and patiently
Keep conversations simpler with fewer details. Speak slowly and use shorter sentences to give your loved one time to process and respond.
11. Decorate their personal space
Focus on decorating personal spaces with items that are not overwhelming.
For example, placing a small, pre-lit tabletop Christmas tree in their room can add festive cheer without the hustle and bustle of larger household decorations.
12. Create new meaningful traditions
If old traditions are too stressful or distracting for your loved one with dementia, start new ones that suit your current situation.
Maybe you’ll watch a holiday movie together or drive leisurely to see the lights. The goal is to enjoy the moment.
Kensington Place Redwood City—your home for the holidays
We are committed to providing top-tier memory care at Kensington Place Redwood City.
Located in Redwood City, California, our community specializes in comprehensive care for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s, ensuring they receive the attention and respect they deserve.
Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own. Discover the difference at Kensington Place Redwood City.
Contact Kensington Place Redwood City today to learn more about our services or to schedule a complimentary tour of our facility.
Let us help make every day special for you and your loved one.