The Holidays and Dementia
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This time of year adds all kinds of stress to almost everyone. Being a caregiver can become more difficult as we are pulled in so many directions - family obligations, shopping, cooking, decorating and the constant never-ending needs of our loved one who is fading. I attribute most of my experience with care giving to what I've absorbed caring for my mother who had Alzheimer's disease but the general info I remember applies to many aspects of dementia/end of life care
Relax....I know it's easy to say but as our "elder charges" progress through their illness, regardless of all the holiday clatter, their needs remain pretty much the same. Yes, it's important to help them stay oriented to the season and hopefully the holiday but you don't have to go nuts trying to make it memorable for someone who will most likely not remember within minutes. Their routine schedule will help them and all those "special" things that used to be a part of the holidays may be too much - for them and You!
It's ok to dial back - Your sanity is critical to what you're doing. Make this season meaningful for you and give yourself the gift of love and support!
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: judit
Valuable reminders, mutha2k.
Valuable reminders, mutha2k. Thanks.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: comic book colors on a violin river...
Thanks for the reminder Mutha
Thanks for the reminder Mutha, and I am exhausted beyond exhausted from doing just what you posted above, the only good thing is we captured my mom in many photos ( she just turned 85) and tried to include her in everything. She is losing interest quickly and forgets more and more each passing day. She does however remember things from her childhood and the stories I have never heard are surfacing to her like they were just yesterday.
My son and I are trying to capture and document as much as possible as we are making a memory book for her so that when she gets really bad we can read it to her :). We are also making a cookbook in her honor of all her wonderful recipes to pass down to the next generations, she seems to be having fun with us in doing this...it stimulates her a bit. She get's sick and has to be bronch scoped at least once a month and is on oxygen 24/7. No one else comes over much, just my son and Bob comes to visit ( I can't go away any longer as i have no one trustworthy enough to stay with her overnight). This is the tough part...how quick they all forget :(.
I am however going to see DSO on New Years...been looking forward to it and need some music fix...now ! I am not in the best health but keep truckin on as there is no other choice. You and Judit both know of what i speak and so does anyone caring for their loved ones, this is a tough gig, fer sure !!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lasher Von Zekenstein
This is the first holiday
This is the first holiday upcoming that I won't be trying to reminisce with Mom, to remind her of the joy from Christmases past. The sense of relief, that I don't have my dread of that visit hanging over my head, is strong. It may seem insensitive, but it's real.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Hello, dear man, and thanks
Hello, dear man, and thanks for posting that. It doesn't seem insensitive to me at all, and you've had that job for a long time. You might remember that I thought that Greg lived longer than was good for either of us... I was sad about it, but it was true. Life's hard too often and I wish us all ease.
Much love to you, zeke.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish
Thanks for posting your
Thanks for posting your comment, Zeke.