Tips for the Holidays

Holidays are filled with opportunities for togetherness, sharing, laughter, and memories. But holidays can also be filled with stress and disappointment when a loved one is experiencing memory impairments. Because of the changes that he or she has experienced, a person with memory impairments may feel confused and / or irritable during visits from family and friends. Old traditions, customs, and ways of celebrating may need to give way to a gentler, quieter environment.

Here are some visiting tips for the holidays:

* To reduce fatigue and restlessness, celebrate early in the day and have a holiday luncheon or brunch rather than a dinner.
* Try not to have too many visitors at once. This helps make conversations easier to follow and allows for more interaction with the family.
* Bring things to share with your loved one, such as photographs, holiday treats, fun movies, or stories to read to them.
* We look forward to visiting with you this Holiday Season!

Holiday Gift Ideas
Nearly one-fourth of caregivers for people with memory impairments provide at least 40 hours of care a week. Here are some gift ideas for those who give so much of themselves:

* Treat them to a little care for themselves with gift certificates for restaurants, lawn care / maid services, or a nice massage or manicure.
* Give them a year’s subscription for a digital video recorder or TiVo so the caregiver can record & watch their favorite shows during their down time.

Here are some gift ideas for people with memory impairments:

* Night lights that come on automatically
* A clock with the date & time in large type
* A personalized calendar featuring family photos & special occasions written in
* A planned outing to a movie, concert, museum, or holiday shopping
* A CD of favorite music or a favorite movie on DVD
* Comfortable, easy-to-remove clothing & shoes
* Framed photos of family & friends
* Enroll the person in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Safe Return, a nationwide identification program

For more information or questions, please call Kelly Dodds at (520) 320-7505 or

(520) 240-0822.