There is no other season like the holiday season! Bringing the whole family together under one roof creates strong bonds and special memories for years to come. Make sure this holiday season is especially memorable for the elderly members of your family. For those with dementia or Alzheimer’s you can make this holiday season special by adapting family activities.
Oftentimes those with dementia or Alzheimer’s may feel a sense of loss during the holidays. They may not recognize the family around them and lack enthusiasm and interest in family celebrations. Having the family engage in simple, safe, and repetitive activities with your loved one will lift their mood and have them enjoy the present moment. Creating an uplifting mood can positively affect the mental well-being and physical health of for your loved well beyond the holidays.
Some activity suggestions:
Making garlands of paper or popcorn
Decorating ornaments
Putting together a gingerbread house or other holiday crafts
Baking holiday desserts
Creating photo collages of family pictures
Putting together and looking over a slideshow of adult family members growing up
All of these holiday projects can help generate new memories and create mementos of your family holiday. For non-perishable projects like holiday ornaments, writing the name of the creator along with the date (ie. Grandma, Christmas 2010) on the object will make the project more memorable and meaningful. For holiday projects such as baking or making a gingerbread house make sure to take pictures of your loved one making these items so you can keep them for years to come.
Happy Holidays from Valencia Terrace!
Oftentimes those with dementia or Alzheimer’s may feel a sense of loss during the holidays. They may not recognize the family around them and lack enthusiasm and interest in family celebrations. Having the family engage in simple, safe, and repetitive activities with your loved one will lift their mood and have them enjoy the present moment. Creating an uplifting mood can positively affect the mental well-being and physical health of for your loved well beyond the holidays.
Some activity suggestions:
Making garlands of paper or popcorn
Decorating ornaments
Putting together a gingerbread house or other holiday crafts
Baking holiday desserts
Creating photo collages of family pictures
Putting together and looking over a slideshow of adult family members growing up
All of these holiday projects can help generate new memories and create mementos of your family holiday. For non-perishable projects like holiday ornaments, writing the name of the creator along with the date (ie. Grandma, Christmas 2010) on the object will make the project more memorable and meaningful. For holiday projects such as baking or making a gingerbread house make sure to take pictures of your loved one making these items so you can keep them for years to come.
Happy Holidays from Valencia Terrace!
