Spending Holidays With Your Loved Ones
We all love the holidays, and it’s a wonderful and joyful time of the year. But we also know that it’s a very stressful time of the year. And sometimes our emotions get the better of us. Let’s not forget the person living with us, who has Alzheimer’s dementia. His or her emotions could be heightened on a more permanent basis. And he or she may be even more affected by our actions when we’re stressed.
We’ve all heard of, and had our own, holiday horror stories of stressful last minute shopping. Overwhelming family visits, and still-frozen turkey when the dinner is about to begin. It’ so difficult to keep our emotions in check when these things happen. But for your own sake and for the sake of the person we care for, who has dementia. We need to be ready with a solution to calm uncomfortable situations. That solution is to sing Christmas carols (or any other song the person likes, and would respond to).
Singing To Ease The Stress
When that special ornament that grandmother bought in the 1930s falls and breaks. When you are upset with the kids because they will not budge from watching TV to help with dinner. When the pie doesn’t come out as well as you wanted. When the lights are not up still, and when there is just too much to do to get ready for the season. And there is fuss and frustration in the air, affecting you and household and your loved one with dementia—just stop. Pull your loved one with Alzheimer’s aside and start signing with him or her known Christmas carols – Silent Night, Jingle Bells, and Deck The Halls.
Singing focuses you and the person on good and positive words and melody. It changes the atmosphere for everyone. Singing has been known to connect with the Alzheimer brain to bring lucidity in the brain at least for a short time. Even those people with dementia who usually don’t speak and usually communicate only through body language. They will be engaged if they remember the song and connect to the melody. Putting on familiar old Christmas songs/CD’s can also bring similar responses if you are not comfortable singing. 🙂
I wish you Mary Christmas, happy holidays, and to you and yours a warm and happy time with cherished memories.
Karen 🙂
Karen Tyrell, CDP, CPCA
Personalized Dementia Solutions
www.DementiaSolutions.ca
