Memory Care Spotlight: Celebrating Holiday Traditions
Posted on December 05, 2023 in
Maintaining or adapting family traditions helps all family members feel a sense of belonging and family identity. For a person living with dementia, this link with a familiar past is reassuring, whether it’s baking a specific type of cookie, pie, or cake, singing carols, or decorating. Everything we do at this time of year connects us to past celebrations.
As much as we want to cling to and experience these traditions every year, this becomes difficult when you have a loved one living with dementia. It’s normal to long for what once was, but “different” doesn’t necessarily mean “bad.” By adapting holiday traditions to accommodate the needs of someone living with dementia, it is still possible to have a meaningful holiday together. The key is managing expectations.
Don’t get so wrapped up in the activities of the season – the meal, holiday decor, etc. – but instead focus on spending time together. Adaptations may include planning activities you know they’ll enjoy. For example, if baking is a tradition, have the person with dementia complete one or two tasks, while others are completing other tasks. Tree decorating can be modified to unpacking or handing ornaments to be placed on the tree. Holiday movie watching can also be modified to watching shorter, 20–30-minute holiday episodes of their favorite TV shows.
Finally, music stimulates different areas of our brains that have not been affected by dementia. Many people can sing, clap their hands, and tap their feet when listening to music. Play holiday songs and encourage your loved one to sing along or interact with the music and enjoy the emotions and actions that come from it.
By taking some proactive steps to maintain or adapt family traditions, holidays can continue to be meaningful, enriching times for everyone.