When you have a family member who has Alzheimer’s or dementia and you’re planning a family get-together or special meal for the holidays, you can still include your family member in the event. You will just need to make some changes and special accommodations to ensure everyone has fun and feels comfortable.

If your loved one receives in-home Alzheimer’s care in Southern Arizona, their caregiver may be able to provide you with guidance and resources on making the holidays safe and relaxing for your loved one. Here are some tips for handling the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease during special occasions.

What to Know About Holidays and Alzheimer’s

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone. People with Alzheimer’s may feel added pressure to participate during the holidays, which can be overwhelming. They may also feel anxious about being around more people than usual, traveling, changing their routine, or being in an unfamiliar environment.

People with Alzheimer’s may be more prone to depression during the holidays because they worry they are a burden or are experiencing painful memories of holidays past. Family caregivers may also find the holidays more stressful as they worry about the extra demands and ensuring their loved one is included. With some careful planning and preparation, however, you and your family can plan a peaceful and rewarding holiday celebration.

Making a Holiday Event More Accessible for Someone With Alzheimer’s

When planning holiday events, make sure your family understands what accommodations you’re making so they can be supportive and helpful. Explain that you want everyone to feel safe and comfortable, and you need to take some extra precautions to make sure that happens. Here are some of the ways you can adapt your family holiday celebration to be more comfortable for a family member with Alzheimer’s:

Try to avoid celebrating in an unfamiliar place, especially if it is noisy or crowded.
Delegate tasks or share responsibilities to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
If your loved one has a history of sundowning, plan the celebration for earlier in the day or in the afternoon to reduce their stress.
If you are traveling, try to find a travel method that will be the least stressful for your loved one.
Consult with your loved one’s physician to make sure the holiday plans will be safe.
Have your loved one help you prepare by wrapping packages, preparing food, setting the table, or decorating.
Do not use fake food as decorations, as some people with Alzheimer’s may confuse it for real food and try to eat it.
Do not use blinking or flashing lights or decorations as that can increase agitation.
If you’re celebrating outside your home, make sure the location is accessible and safe for someone with Alzheimer’s and/or mobility issues.
Make sure family and friends know not to give your loved one gifts that could be dangerous or that could increase agitation, such as tools, complicated electronics, pets, or challenging games.
Try to limit noise by turning off TVs and radios and creating a calm environment.
Keep celebrations short and simple, especially if they are not at home.

Choosing the Right Location for a Holiday Celebration

Home is the best place to celebrate a family holiday event when you’re including someone with Alzheimer’s. Your loved one will feel more comfortable in a familiar place, and will be better able to adapt to added noise and guests. They will also have the option to retreat to their bedroom if they become overwhelmed.

Your home is also already safe and accessible for your loved one, so you won’t need to make any adjustments. If you can’t celebrate the holidays at home, try to choose a location that is:

Familiar to your loved one
Easy to get to and doesn’t require a long travel period
Well-lit and accessible via wheelchair or mobility aid
Calm and comfortable: not dark, noisy, crowded, hard to navigate, or decorated with flashing lights

Preparing to Travel With Someone Who Has Alzheimer’s

If you do need to travel to celebrate the holidays with family, speak with your loved one’s physician first. They can determine if your loved one is healthy enough to travel and recommend travel tips that will make the journey easier. When traveling with someone who has Alzheimer’s, you should:

Try to make the trip short and simple.
Travel to known destinations or familiar places.
Choose the travel method that will be most comfortable and accessible for your loved one’s needs, ability, and safety.
Minimize your loved one’s anxiety.
Involve your loved one in planning the trip and incorporate their suggestions or input.
Make sure the travel location has easy access to emergency services and pharmacies.
If you are traveling by plane, make sure the airline understands your situation.
Pack all necessary medications, prescriptions, photocopies of important legal documents, up-to-date medical information, and a list of emergency contacts.
Do not create a busy agenda or over-schedule.
Have a backup plan in case your loved one is ill or agitated on the date of travel and isn’t able to handle it.

Tips for Managing Family Members’ Expectations During the Holiday

Depending on how long it has been since your loved one was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, your family may need some guidance on how to prepare for conversations or interactions with your loved one. Schedule a family meeting in person or via phone or video call to prepare them for what to expect. If your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, friends and family might not notice them behaving any differently. However, if your loved one’s symptoms have progressed, you should prepare everyone for what to expect.

Provide tips for understanding and communicating with your loved one, including topics to avoid, what to do if they become agitated or frustrated, and how to handle changes in their personality or behavior. Advise them to be patient, not interrupt, and treat your loved one with respect.

Self-Care for Caregivers During the Holidays

In addition to caring for your loved one’s needs during the holiday season, practice self-care to avoid caregiver burnout. If you are the primary caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, try to get help from other family members or friends so that you can have some time to yourself. If that isn’t possible, consider hiring an in-home caregiver for respite support. An in-home caregiver who specializes in Alzheimer’s care or memory care can care for your loved one while you prepare a meal, clean your home, do your holiday shopping, or practice self-care.

Hiring a Respite Caregiver for Alzheimer’s Care in Tucson, AZ

At Placita In Home Care, we offer respite caregiving services for family caregivers who need a break. Whether you need time to prepare for the holidays, run errands, go to a doctor’s appointment, or deal with work, we’re here to help. Our in-home care services include assistance with personal hygiene and bathing, dressing, and toileting as well as mobility assistance, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and transportation to medical appointments.

We offer specialized elder care services as well, including Alzheimer’s care and dementia care. To schedule a consultation for respite Alzheimer’s care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.