As if navigating the holidays with a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia isn’t hard enough, this year we get to add COVID-19 into the mix. I’ve gathered some tips and suggestions for you that I’m excited to share. Hopefully, something will work for you and your loved one, and maybe spark your imagination.
I’ve put together some activities you can do with your loved one if you are home with him or her.
- Consider taking a walk or a drive in the neighborhood to look at the lights and decorations of your neighbors’ yards.
- You could watch a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie together or with friends and family virtually, and chat while watching.
- Maybe you could create or buy holiday cards to send, working together to address and stamp the envelopes.
- Instead of a paper card, you could make a video holiday greeting together to send out.
- How about scheduling a holiday parade where friends and family can drive by (maybe Santa could make an appearance)?
- Co-ordinate outdoor visits with blankets and hot cocoa or cider.
- You might also bake simple items together to give as gifts, or how about those jars of dry ingredients for chocolate chip cookies or other goodies?
- Decorating for the holidays can be another fun activity to do together. How about creating a paper-link chain as a garland? Just remember safety concerns regarding tripping and electrical hazards. Bright, flashing lights might also be problematic for him or her.
I hope your creativity can take over from here!
You might consider a Zoom call with friends and family with structured holiday activities. You could play a game, sing seasonal carols and songs, open presents, or bake together. Remember that too many people talking at once can be very confusing for someone living with dementia. Be deliberate in deciding how many people should be on a call like this.
If your family decides to meet in person, please ask the attendees to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to the visit, insist on frequent hand washing, masks, no hugging, staying 6 feet from each family group. If at all possible, meet outdoors and limit numbers attending to 10 or less. If a meal is to be eaten, ask people to bring their own dinners and utensils, or if everyone contributes a dish, designate one person to be server for all the plates. Please check your community transmission rates and follow the guidelines issued by your city, county, or state.
COVID-19 has been especially difficult for persons living in facilities and their families. Now, the holiday season just adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness. You will have to follow the facility’s guidelines for in-person visits, but consider using some of the suggestions above for phone or virtual visits and activities. You may have to elicit help from the staff.
This is a hard time for all of us, but I especially want those of you who are giving care to a loved one living with dementia to know that I am thinking about you.