For many, December is filled with holiday cheer – after all, the holidays bring up fond memories of the past for many. From family dinners and desserts to cherished presents, holiday cards and time with those we love, this time of year can bring much joy for children and adults alike.
“As a caregiver, you may be questioning how to celebrate this year,” says Reshma Nair, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover, a memory care assisted living community in Andover, MA. “Whether you want to celebrate with friends and family, alone with your loved one, or with your own family, with the right amount of preparation and thoughtful planning this holiday season can be among your best yet.”
Challenges of the Holidays
Before bringing holiday cheer to a loved one with memory loss, consider how celebrating the holidays can be difficult for them. This can ensure you plan the right holiday activities to keep the season bright. Consider these points when planning.
- How your loved one may react to changes in routine
- Whether or not they have difficulty traveling
- Whether or not they are likely to wander
- How your celebrations will affect your level of caregiver stress
Celebrating the Holidays with Those with Memory Loss
Once you’ve established what you’ll need to plan for, consider where you’ll be celebrating and how. Evaluate your options and try these ideas.
- Enjoying the Holidays at Home. If a more relaxed holiday celebration would be best for you and your loved one, consider a quiet holiday meal at home, watch your old favorite Christmas movies, bake cookies together or sing Christmas carols. If you want to connect with loved ones, video chatting makes it easy to feel close while being apart.
- Cherishing the Season with Family and Friends. If you are planning to host the holidays, be sure to inform them of your loved one’s memory loss ahead of time. It can also help to make a space for them to retreat to if they want to relax. You can all celebrate together by reminiscing and going through old photo albums.
- If you’ll be traveling with your loved one with memory loss, be sure to take breaks, bring your loved one’s favorite comfort items and plan for quieter activities if need be.
- Enjoying the Season in Senior Living. If your loved one lives in a skilled nursing, senior living, memory care or assisted living facility, you can still help them celebrate their favorite holiday. Bring family members to spend time with them, enjoy a holiday meal, participate in activities with them, and more!
- Celebrating the Holidays Away from Loved Ones in Senior Living. If your loved one will be celebrating the holidays in their memory care community, you can still bring them joy. Send them a gift, video chat with them or celebrate before the holidays!
Exceptional Care. Engaging Lifestyle.
Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover provides specialized memory care in an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive and welcoming. Built solely to care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover creates a wellness-focused, engaging lifestyle that respects individual preferences, focuses on residents’ abilities and creates meaning in daily life.
Dedicated Memory Care.
Through every stage of memory loss, residents and their families have complete peace of mind. Our compassionate dementia care and unique programs are tailored to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of each resident wherever they are on their own journey, allowing them to age in place safely, comfortably and with dignity.
Supportive, Purpose-Built Design.
Featuring a stunning residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover is much more than a beautiful place to live; it’s a community where residents’ lives are enriched and families enjoy meaningful moments together. Our research-based design features, including soft colors and lighting, directional cues, and aromatherapy, empower residents to explore their homes with confidence.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.
Contact us today to learn more.