Dementia and the holidays: helpful tips

Bringing frail relatives home for the holidays must be done with care and sensitivity:

• Dementia is a very individual and progressive disease - What worked last year may not work this year.

• Make sure to ask questions of the staff, to find out what would be most appropriate for your loved one.

• It is natural to want elderly relatives with us on the holiday, but it is also important to make sure the experience doesn't overwhelm or upset them.

• Those in early stages are more likely to be able to handle busy events such as gift-giving or dinner. Those in later stages might do better coming for just afternoon tea or a carol sing. (Long after memories and skills are gone, songs often remain for dementia patients.)

• If you do take your loved home, make sure they don't stay too long. A new surrounding, a large group and noise can be very upsetting and tiring for those with dementia.

• For those in advanced stages, it may be best for a small group to visit the resident in familiar surroundings rather than bring them home. Families can even take turns throughout the day visiting.

• Important to think of the holidays as seasonal rather than a one-day event.

• Remember to celebrate over several weeks and take part in holiday events at the Veterans Centre.

• Don't focus all the attention on the one, most busy, stressful day of the holidays. Best to break the day up into a series of small events, rather than one day-long celebration.

• Important to be FLEXIBLE - People with dementia have good days and bad, and they may not be ready or able to leave at the planned time, or may need to return to their home early.

Watch the video below for more helpful tips: