Every family has their own fun holiday traditions. Whether it’s a Christmas-cookie competition, gingerbread house decorating contest, caroling or even a religious service, we all have our favorite ways of celebrating the holiday season. When loved ones are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, however, we may feel like that will change.
Although it can make a slight difference in how the season is celebrated, there are plenty of ways to adapt your current traditions, or you can even create new holiday activities and traditions to begin.
“One great way to start a new family tradition in spite of your loved one’s memory loss is to enjoy music therapy,” says Christine Brooks, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury, a memory care assisted living community in Sudbury, MA. “In your research about dementia care, you may have read that music can awaken the spirit, create connections to the past and allow caregivers and families to bond. This is absolutely true.”
“Consider this: During the holidays, if you hear a certain Christmas carol, holiday song or religious hymn being played, it can inspire you to reminisce about the past and previous holidays of yesterday,” Christine says. “The same is true for those with memory loss. During this time of year, it can be a great way for you to spend time with your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or people with dementia that you interact with!”
Using Music Therapy for Seniors with Memory Loss This Holiday Season
Before using music therapy with a loved one with memory loss, it’s important to know what it encompasses. According to the American Music Therapy Association, “music therapy is the clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship.” They state that this can promote wellness and manage stress while alleviating pain, helping to express feelings, enhancing memory, improving communication and more.
Ready to make some new holiday traditions with those with memory loss? Check out these fun ways to enjoy Christmas music and use music therapy during the holidays!
- Go Christmas Caroling. There’s no better way to beat the holiday stress than by caroling and singing along with those you love! Compile you and your loved one’s favorite carols, dress warmly to ensure your loved one’s health and safety, and surprise family, random passersby or even others within their memory care community, if possible.
If it’s not possible for your loved one to visit others and carol, consider asking them if you could record them and send it to their family and friends for the perfect Christmas gift that will be sure to bring a smile to their faces!
- Listen to Holiday Music. Whether you’re doing your holiday decorating or hosting your holiday celebrations, those with memory impairments are sure to benefit from listening to music from past Christmases! Consider some of the classics, like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” or even hymns.
As you listen, sing and dance, pay attention to what sparks positive memories, joy and excitement. Be sure to remove any that make your loved one sad or agitated. These findings can help you gather more great songs for your playlist.
- Watch Christmas Musicals. We all know them and love them. White Christmas, Meet Me in St. Louis, even A Charlie Brown Christmas.
There’s just something about watching these classics, snuggling in with comfy blankets, spending time with family and enjoying festive flavors of hot cocoa. It’s a great new tradition to create – and one the whole family will love.
- Attend a Holiday Concert. Whether you can attend in-person or virtually, many schools, churches and groups host holiday concerts where performers either sing or play instruments. Some even do both. This can be a fun outing or a subtle break in their routine that can bring a little seasonal joy!
- Make Your Own Musical Memories. Did your loved one used to play a musical instrument, or do they simply love to get creative while making up their own sound? Consider bringing them the instrument they used to play if possible, and if not, see if there’s a smaller version, like a keyboard, that they may enjoy.
If you don’t have any musical instruments of your own, it’s time to get creative.
- Find some boxes, wrap them in fancy Christmas wrapping paper and find some drum sticks to make festive drums.
- Make a guitar out of rubber bands, a tissue box and an empty paper towel roll.
- Create maracas out of dry beans in a sealed container.
The possibilities are endless.
- Consider Gifting a Music Box. Still looking for the right gift for your loved one with memory loss? Consider purchasing them a music box with their favorite holiday song. This can be brought out each holiday season and treasured for years to come.
Do you have any other fun ways to enjoy Christmas music with those with dementia during this season? For more information about how we use music therapy programs and technology to enhance the daily routines of older adults with memory loss, check out our blog or schedule a visit to experience it for yourself!
Exceptional Care & Engaging Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury provides exceptional memory care in a comfortable and engaging environment. Designed specifically to support those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community delivers a wellness-focused lifestyle that respects individual preferences and abilities. Our teams receive ongoing, specialized training so they may help residents safely exercise their independence in a secure, calm environment.
Dedicated Memory Care
Our expert dementia care and comprehensive services are tailored to meet the unique needs of our residents, wherever they are on their journey with memory loss. Our life-enrichment programs are personalized to residents’ interests and abilities, providing joy and meaning in daily life and enhancing emotional well-being.
Purpose-Built Design
Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury is more than a safe, beautiful place to live; it’s truly a home where compassionate, dementia-educated caregivers help people with memory loss live more fulfilling lives. Our research-based design features, including soft lighting and colors, nonglare flooring, directional cues, and aromatherapy, empower residents to comfortably move about 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.