— Lisa SKinner
NAPA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, December 6, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Holiday Season is that special time of year for us to celebrate with our family and friends through sharing, laughter and creating life-long memories. Getting everything done on time can be highly hectic.
Many families struggle with the decision as to whether to include a loved one who is living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in the festivities – Is it a good idea to bring them along, or not? A person living with Alzheimer’s will often feel a special sense of loss because of the changes in their behavior due to the disease. Families and caregivers sometimes feel overwhelmed by trying to balance the maintaining of traditions with the stress of caregiving.
“It’s not only a difficult decision to make, but it’s also a difficult question to answer,” said Lisa Skinner, an expert in Alzheimer’s disease and caregiving. “Every person living with dementia experiences the disease differently, so you need to take into consideration how the disease is impacting each person individually, such as how a change in their environment affects their personalities and moods.”
Holidays can be enriching times for both your loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease as well as the family and caregivers. Family traditions provide a feeling of belonging and identity. It’s a link with a familiar past that can be quite reassuring for a person with Alzheimer’s.
However, holiday celebrations, which may include other people, can cause confusion and anxiety for a person with Alzheimer’s.
TIPS FOR CREATING A SAFE & STRESS-FREE SPACE
Some situations may be easier and more pleasurable than others. It’s all about finding balance in the busy holiday activities with the special care required for your loved one coping with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
1. “Most people living with dementia do well with a routine and with familiarity. Keep them in familiar locations free of noise, a hectic environment, too much clutter, or a stressful situation. An overload of stimulation can trigger emotions that can escalate into a potential catastrophic reaction that you might not be able to manage,” Lisa Skinner explains.
2. Other tips for coping with the Holidays and Alzheimer’s disease could include determining what stage your loved one is in – if your loved one is in the early stages of their disease, it’s often much easier for them to cope with a change in their environment, etc., versus a person in the mid to later stages of the disease. As the disease progresses, the person living with dementia becomes more and more confused and less able to understand what is happening around them. They can also become easily agitated and/or frightened in a world that no longer makes sense to them and may rely on their instincts of flight or fight as a response to the surroundings.
3. If you do decide to include your loved one, you may want to limit the amount of time they visit with the family. If you notice any changes such as nervousness, anxiety, irritability, or a sudden change in their level of confusion, then those are telltale signs that they are not coping well with the current environment. You can also pay close attention to their body language and demeanor to determine if they are increasingly becoming upset.
4. Finally, you should have a dedicated family member or caregiver be with your loved one, at all times to watch for signs of distress and to keep reassuring your loved one that they are safe and that you will be taking them home shortly.
5. “You need to take charge and set your own limits. Be clear about them with others,” said Skinner. “You do not have to live up to the expectations of your friends and family. As a caregiver, your situation is very different now. You need to find time for the holiday activities that you like to do like taking a walk in the neighborhood to see the holiday decorations or bake cookies. Taking care of the caregivers is also a very important way to celebrate the holidays.”
RELATABLE RESOURCES
Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s: Its Secret Faces serves as a worthy follow-up to Lisa Skinner’s #1 best-seller, Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost. The latest project, co- authored with Douglas W. Collins, continues Skinner’s quest of working with dementia- related illnesses and teaching families how they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education.
Available on Amazon.com via Hardback Paperback Kindle WorkBook
CO-AUTHOR & ALZHEIMER’S EXPERT LISA SKINNER
Best-selling author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with more than a quarter-century of experience in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She is a Certified Dementia Care Trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association.
Lisa has appeared on such national and regional media broadcasts including CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, USA Today, Health & Fitness, and many others.
PODCAST OUTLETS: “TRUTH, LIES & ALZHEIMER’S: IT’S SECRET FACES”
* Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-lies-alzheimers-the-podcast/id1656533435?uo=4
* Spreaker Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/truth-lies-alzheimers-the-podcast
* Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3amvCzlSsAovAF7LOGl8lx
* iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/105134013
* Deezer Podcast: https://www.deezer.com/show/5413967
* Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4156302
* Podchaser Podcast: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/truth-lies-alzheimers-the-podc-4988616
* JioSaavn Podcast: https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/Truth-Lies–Alzheimers—The-Podcast/1/YhiSl8Idxt8_
Ruth Davis
Ruth Davis Consulting LLC (RDC)
RuthDavisConsultingLLC@gmail.com
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Alzheimer’s expert Lisa Skinner talks about Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – The Podcast
