Happy Holidays

Trying to maintain the old ways is not necessarily helpful if it adds to their confusion. The following are tips for visiting over the holidays including gifts ideas:

Visiting Tips

• As much as possible try to follow their routine.
• Be aware that large group visits can be overwhelming. Families may want to create a visiting schedule.
• Be prepared to end your visit early if necessary or to create a separate calm area for one-on-one visits. Use table place cards to help cue who everyone is.
• Conversation may not always be possible. Suggest a walk, read, listen to music, or just hold their hand.
• Don’t speak too quickly or give too much information. Keep your sentences short and simple.
• Use the names of the people visiting throughout the conversation to help cue.
• It is okay to celebrate on the wrong day if it is the best day for him/her.
• Do not test their memory. Avoid saying “do you remember…” or quizzing. Only correct if necessary for their safety or will be actually helpful to do so.
• Have a couple activities that are soothingly repetitive and can keep him/her engaged i.e., hanging tinsel, shelling peas.
• Bring the festivities to the person instead of leaving when it is not possible or too over whelming for them.
• If care staff is involved, share if there is anything from their past during this time of year they should know about I.E. always worried about finances at this time, lost a family member at this time.
• Take your time and make sure visits are calm during a rushed season.
• Keep the opening of gifts to only a few at a time and the Alzheimer Society staff can offer tips on gift purchases.