The Christmas season is approaching, as are family gatherings and changes in routine, which can be more difficult for people with Alzheimer's to manage. For this reason, Pasqual Maragall Foundation offers guidance to families and reminds them of a series of tips to help them spend these holidays in the most harmonious way possible and thus ensure the well-being of everyone.
As explained by the Dr. Nina Gramunt, neuropsychologist expert in training and dissemination of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, “At this time of year when routine is disrupted, people with Alzheimer's may feel more disoriented than usual. Caring for someone with the disease requires understanding, patience and constant support. Therefore, it is essential to keep in mind both the needs of people with Alzheimer's and those who care for them, with special emphasis, if possible, on these particular days.”.
Tips to enjoy the holidays
Inform the entire family, including the youngest, of the affected person's condition.: In many cases, not all family members know the real status of the person with Alzheimer's and it is crucial to inform them and provide basic guidelines so that they can act with them in a natural and fearless manner. This includes involving the youngest members, adapting the message to each age, to facilitate a complete understanding and a respectful interaction.
Helping the caregiver rest: It is essential to take into account the situation of the caregiver. In fact, according to Dr. Gramunt, “Alzheimer's is a disease with a strong impact on the family structure, since in 80% of cases, the role of primary caregiver falls to a family member, who assumes an average of 70 hours of dedication per week.In this context, it is advisable that the rest of the family members collaborate in the preparations and share the responsibility of care during these meetings, thus allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities.
Involving the person with Alzheimer's in family traditions: It is advisable to maintain family traditions and involve the person with Alzheimer's in them, as long as it does not cause discomfort or frustration, and adapting their participation to the degree of impairment they present. For example, they can collaborate in preparing meals, creating or placing decorative elements, singing or listening to Christmas carols. These types of activities can promote the recovery of memories and positive emotions, but also negative ones or those that induce melancholy, in which case it is advisable to affectionately accompany the person and try to change the activity to another that can cheer them up.
Respecting the routine is essential: Although it is common to start meals later and prolong after-dinner conversations during these festive dates, it is essential to maintain certain habits of the person with Alzheimer's. For example, trying to keep the structural elements of daily life in their usual order; the sequence of getting up, having breakfast, hygiene, getting dressed... It is also important to try to respect the rest that the person needs and it is necessary to have a quiet space so that they can take a nap or relax if they feel confused or overwhelmed. As for menus, it is necessary to take into account the possible difficulties of the person with Alzheimer's, both in handling cutlery, and in identifying unusual foods or preparations, due to a decrease in appetite or, on the contrary, difficulties in perceiving the signs of satiety. For this reason, it is advisable to supervise what the person eats, but with enough flexibility to allow them to enjoy meals during these dates.
Children are a positive stimulus: At this time of year, it is common to have a large family gathering, including children, if there are any. These can be a positive stimulus for the person with Alzheimer's and an opportunity to foster their relationship. However, it is necessary to regulate this interaction, since the energy of the younger ones could overwhelm or tire the person with Alzheimer's too much. In this sense, adults must collaborate, inform them of the situation to encourage better interaction and understanding of their difficulties, and also be present to intervene if necessary.
Keep calm and enjoy family time: Sometimes, people with Alzheimer's may behave in a socially inappropriate manner, which can be disconcerting. In these situations, it is crucial to understand that we are not responsible for their behavior and to act by distracting the affected person by redirecting their attention to other activities, conversations or stimuli. Finally, it is essential to downplay the situation and return to normality.
Avoid confrontations during family mealsIt is important to note that the person with Alzheimer's may not remember the details of the argument later, but may feel the negative emotions that were experienced at the time. Therefore, it is best to try to prevent these types of situations from occurring or try to redirect them.
“We know that there is no foolproof formula and that each family situation is unique, but these tips are intended to be a guide to facilitate an environment conducive to both the person with Alzheimer's and those who care for them being able to relax and enjoy Christmas with the family.”, Dr. Gramunt points out.
