Has your senior loved one recently received a dementia diagnosis? Then the holiday season can be stressful and leave many wondering what to do and expect. In fact, many adult children are responsible for caring for their senior loved ones. However, an unexpected dementia diagnosis can leave adult children wondering how to support them through the change.
Here's a helpful FAQ about what to anticipate with the holidays after a senior client or family member is diagnosed with dementia.
What Should Adult Children Anticipate During the Holidays?
Generally, persons over the age of 65 who are living with dementia experience symptoms that made a concerned family member, caregiver, friend, or the senior themselves seek medical advice. Senior clients who have dementia exhibit signs of memory loss, and confusion. They may also struggle with their speech at holiday gatherings, and/ or have trouble recollecting holiday guests. Caregivers and adult children who look after seniors should exercise caution throughout the holiday season. They should take extra steps to prepare their seniors loved ones.
How Should Adult Children Help Them Adapt?
The way to minimize the symptoms the senior experiences during the holidays is to prepare them ahead of time, support them during the event, and talk to guests or relatives about what to expect. Communication is crucial when it pertains to helping seniors cope with a dementia diagnosis.
Here are some topics to consider discussing prior to the holidays:
- If the senior is in the early stages of dementia, they might not exhibit extensive symptoms but will react to the diagnosis.
- If the condition is more progressive, then they might display frustration, confusion, and memory issues.
- Talk to people who will be interacting with the senior loved one about potential changes in their behavior and how to support them.
- When people understand what might happen, then they won't be surprised and can prepare themselves emotionally.
- It's important to also discuss dementia with young children and answer their questions beforehand.
What Do Adult Children Need to Do at Holiday Events?
If the senior is attending or hosting an event, then adult children can help plan it out ahead of time. Whether it involves contributing more to meal preparation or doing some holiday shopping for the senior, the best thing to do is ask the senior what they need and help them. The easiest way to handle the holidays when someone has recently been diagnosed with dementia is to simplify the events. Adult children can also anticipate their needs when possible, and treat them with the same respect and care as usual.
If the senior is having difficulty remembering people, then chat about the guests or visitors before an event. Seniors can also look at pictures of them beforehand to make them feel more familiar with the guests. It's still important to share some information with them about what their loved ones have been up to and other details to help them feel comfortable.
How Senior Helpers Can Help
Senior Helpers Boise Treasure Valley is proud to assist seniors and their loved ones during this holiday season. Contact us for in-home care assistance for seniors in the Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Lewiston, Meridian, and Nampa areas.