Christmas is a magical time of year – the decorations, the music, the lights, and time with family and friends make this period extra special. However, for people living with dementia and their families, Christmas can also bring a lot of stress and emotional upheaval.
Below, we’ve put together some of our top tips for caring for a loved one living with dementia at Christmas to make this a happy and special time for the whole family.
Stick to routines as much as possible
People living with dementia can find changes to their routine very disorientating, so it’s important to stick to them as much as you can. Things like getting up, having breakfast, and taking medication at the same time as usual is key to getting the day off to the best start. Eating meals at the same time as usual is important, and cooking a Christmas meal just like they had prior to their diagnosis is a great way of supporting your loved one living with dementia. If, for example, their mum always used to make Yorkshire puddings as a starter at Christmas, doing the same is a great way to support your loved one in reminiscing about happy Christmases in their past.
Be mindful of overstimulation
A full house at Christmas is often a very noisy and busy environment, which can be stressful for people living with dementia. People living with dementia often love spending time with children, but this is something which may need to be managed. If the person living with dementia starts to seem overwhelmed or tired, they may need to spend some time quietly in another room to unwind. If you’re in an environment which is not familiar to them, it might be helpful to bring along some of their favourite things from home to make the new environment feel more comfortable for them.
Communicate ahead of time
Sometimes Christmas is a chance to spend precious time with family and friends. If your loved one’s dementia has progressed, it’s important to communicate with family and friends about this beforehand and let them know of changes they may see. You might also like to offer some advice to guests ahead of time about the best ways to communicate with someone living with dementia.
There are several support books that are available to help with this. Try not to make the focus on the person living with dementia but a family celebration – they will feel the happiness and love.
Make sure the person with dementia is included
As much as possible, involve your loved one living with dementia in planning and thinking about the day so they know what’s coming, without overloading them with lots of decisions. Plan some activities for Christmas specifically tailored to the person living with dementia’s needs and usual routine, for example, a short walk or nap in the afternoon.
Remember that some people may not remember that it’s Christmas, so suddenly receiving gifts could cause distress.
Speak with the care home team
If your loved one is in a care home, it’s a good idea to ask for the team’s advice on how best to support your loved one while they’re out of the home. When you arrive back at the end of the outing, it’s a good idea to ask the care team to have your loved one’s favourite drink ready, and a carer on hand to chat with them to distract them when you leave.
If it’s a while since your loved one last left the home, it’s a good idea to have a few practices ahead of Christmas itself to make sure being out of the home is not too disruptive for them.
If you’d like any more help or advice about caring for a loved one with dementia at Christmas time, our team would be happy to help.
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