The most wonderful time of the year can feel like the most overwhelming for those coping with a cruel disease.
More than 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and 99,000 people have the disease in Minnesota. And for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia – along with their caregivers and family – the holidays pose another challenge during an already difficult journey.
On Friday, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Laurie Brickley sat down with KARE 11’s Karla Hult to discuss the challenges – and the opportunities to still find joy, even during the journey, even during the holidays.
Among Brickley’s advice:
- Adjust expectations;
- Plan ahead;
- Communicate to guests about the situation ahead of time (encourage one-on-one conversations);
- Involve the person living with dementia in simple traditions or holiday-related tasks;
- Avoid displaying candles or artificial fruit or vegetables;
- Most importantly, ask for help.
The National Institute on Aging also offers this advice for those living with the disease and their caregivers and families.
Full disclosure: Hult also founded So Many Goodbyes after losing her father to Alzheimer’s disease in 2019. You can learn more about her services for families and others in the community here.