56 | NOVEMBER 28 • 2019 

Boom

CKC MEDIA

Enjoy the Holidays

Keeping joy in the holidays when 
your loved one has dementia.

W

hile the holidays 
can be times of 
great magic and 
meaning, for those caring for 
loved ones living with demen-
tia there are undoubtedly some 
struggles. With some extra 
care and planning, however, 
both care partners and those 
affected by the condition, can 
enjoy special days during the 
holiday period.
• Plan ahead. Discuss hol-
iday plans with family and 
friends. Consider smaller 
gatherings earlier in the day, if 
possible, with a regular sleep 
schedule. Naps can be helpful 
for all.
• Set limits. It’
s OK to say 
no to a gathering if it will be 
too stressful for you or your 
loved one living with demen-
tia. Focus on holiday traditions 
that you enjoy the most.
• Ask for help. If you are 
having company in your own 
home, have someone to help 
engage your loved one while 
you are in the kitchen or enter-
taining guests. Friends and 
family often want to help so 
say “yes, please” to the dishes 
or laundry being done. You 
can also enlist friends or fam-
ily to stay with your loved one 
if you want to attend a gather-
ing that wouldn’
t be a good fit 
for them.
• Engage your loved one 
living with dementia in the 
planning of holiday gather-
ings. Assign a simple task to 
do like setting the table, wash-
ing the vegetables or folding 
the napkins. When people are 
purposefully occupied, they 

feel good about themselves.
• Help your guests engage 
with your loved one. Remind 
family members that although 
your loved one may not 
remember his name, everyone 
likes a warm greeting and a 
friendly smile. Don’
t ask, “Do 
you remember me?” or “Who 
am I?” Instead, make fun fam-
ily nametags for your gather-
ing. Familiar music and family 
photo albums are great conver-
sation starters. Talking about 
shared memories of the past 
are a great way to connect. A 
family singalong with familiar 
tunes is a great way to involve 
your loved one.
• Encourage “smart” gift 
giving. Practical gifts for 
people living with dementia 
might include comfortable, 
easy-to-remove clothing, CDs 
of favorite music or a favorite 
food. Another idea might be a 
contribution to a respite fund 
for the care partner and person 

GRAHAM SAYRE, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish 
Community Adult Day Program 
participants enjoy a holiday party. 

continued on page 58

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