Getting Through Valentine's Day With an Elderly Loved One Who Has Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia

Valentine's Day is a special holiday for many, but it can be even more meaningful when celebrated with seniors who are suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia. However, symptoms of these conditions can often create challenges when trying to plan ways to celebrate the holiday.

Fortunately, by properly preparing in advance and making some modifications to activities suited to individual abilities, you can enjoy a pleasant and meaningful Valentine's Day with seniors. Here are some tips, straight from Senior Helpers LaGrange!

Preparing for Valentine's Day 

When preparing for Valentine's Day with seniors who have Alzheimer's or dementia, it is important to keep their abilities, preferences, and limitations in mind. Consider adjusting plans in order to meet them wherever they are on their journey while still maintaining personal boundaries.

Here are some tips and tricks to create a beautiful Valentine's Day celebration:

Create a Calming Environment 

Those with Alzheimer's disease or dementia might get easily overstimulated. Therefore, on occasions or holidays like Valentine's Day, it is important to create an environment where they feel relaxed. Play quiet, calming music, light some candles, and keep other guests to a minimum. You can also ask your senior loved one what they would prefer. Ask them if they would like to invite some other friends or relatives over. If they do, remember to keep gatherings short, no more than a couple of hours. Also, remember to check in with your senior loved one frequently throughout the party. 

Celebrating With Activities 

Valentine's Day activities such as making cards, a romantic scavenger hunt, and baking cookies are all great ways to celebrate the occasion. For seniors who are less mobile, craft projects are a great activity that won't require much physical exertion. To make it even easier to spend time in the kitchen together, you could pick up some pre-packaged baking mixes that take just minutes to prepare. Your senior loved one will appreciate the care and attention to detail that you put into making their day special. What's more, enjoying delicious baked goods together is a great way to celebrate the occasion!

Also, consider purchasing DVDs of classic romances like "The Notebook" or "Casablanca" that they might enjoy. Gently remind your loved one why you are celebrating Valentine's Day together and assure them how special your relationship is throughout the day. This will help strengthen feelings of love and connection.

Senior Helpers Provides Top-Quality In-Home Care Services

By taking into consideration each individual senior's personality traits, preferences, and capabilities, celebrating Valentine's Day with seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's can be a wonderful experience that reminds you both of the power of connection.

Hopefully, these tips can help in spending quality time with your senior loved ones in an enjoyable way. Senior Helpers LaGrange provides premier in-home senior care for those in the LaGrange, Columbus, West Point, and Pine Mountain areas. Contact us today to learn more about the services that we offer!