By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can create high levels of stress and heavy emotional strains during the holidays.
Experts say it’s normal for family members to be concerned about a parent or grandparent who is experiencing memory issues. For those diagnosed with the disease, being together for the holidays can sometimes reveal its progression to family members.
Experts encourage family members to do their best to enjoy time with a loved-one living with Alzheimer’s and to remember that they are not alone.
Tips like adjusting the time of day for gatherings and offering extra support with cooking or cleanup for family caregivers can go a long way.
“Flexibility is really important. Asking the family caregiver if there’s anything extra that you can do, having open conversations. A lot of times there’s a lot of stigma and people think we can’t talk about it, but it’s better to talk about it than not,” said Sue Peschin, President and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research.
Above all else, Peschin says to be patient and flexible with your loved ones.
“You might have experienced your loved one who’s living with Alzheimer’s repeat a lot. They might repeat a lot of questions or a lot of stories. Go with the flow. Don’t say, ‘hey, Grandpa, you just asked us that.’ There’s no point to it. It’s just a part of the disease,” said Peschin. “Just repeat the details again and try to redirect the conversation. Those types of tips and having some mutual support, that can make a world of difference,” she added.
An estimated 6.7 million people in the U.S. Are currently living with Alzheimer’s, and 11 million people are caring for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
Additional information and resources can be found on the Alliance for Aging Research website, www.agingresearch.org
