The Caring Corner®

5 Holiday Home Care Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers in Durham

December 20, 2016

Caregiving for an Alzheimer home care patient can be challenging especially during the holidays. There are things you can do to prepare and make the holiday gatherings special. It just takes a little extra planning and effort. Here are five tips to help you make the season enjoyable for you and your spouse or parent.

Let guests know what to expect. Discuss the behaviors of your loved one with friends and family. They will appreciate knowing what to do and how to act or react to the symptoms that Alzheimer patients have.

Avoid large crowds and unfamiliar situations. During the holidays, there are many invites for parties and gatherings. It is important to pick and choose which ones to attend with your loved one and which to skip or just go alone. Make sure that you choose places and people that are familiar to your loved one where they feel safe and secure. If it gets too crowded and overwhelming, make plans to leave or go to a quieter area.

Stick to your normal routines. It is important to be as normal as possible. Pay attention to their routines that help to establish order. Protect them from holiday chaos and disruptions.

Share gift ideas with friends and relatives. Many people may feel uncertain about choosing the appropriate gift for someone with Alzheimer’s. It may be as easy as putting a photo in a frame or creating a book with photos from an earlier time or special location. A musical playlist that the person will enjoy makes a wonderful gift as well. Memories are a wonderful thing to share with Alzheimer patients.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. Don’t let the craziness and busyness of the holiday make you upset and stressed too. You can’t please everyone and you need to do your best to keep yourself relaxed and stress-free. Your mental and physical health should be a top priority.
If you need an in home care giver for your elderly loved one in Chapel Hill or Durham, we can help.
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