Coping with Holiday Stress

Transcription

1 The Spectrum Times Volume 8, Issue 12 December 2014 Coping with Holiday Stress While the holidays are a joyful time for many, they can be stressful for caregivers as well as people with dementia. This page discusses some of the challenges of the holidays. Inside this issue: Alzheimer s Article 1 Article continued 2 Birthdays, entertainment 3 Activities & Events 4 Dining Choices 5 Reminders 6 Caregiver Support Group 6 The Holiday Blues: Depression is common among the older population, and holidays can increase or compound feelings of sadness. The person with dementia may feel a sense of loss during the holidays. They may miss a loved one who they lost a long time ago, may not recognize the family around them, or may feel that someone is missing. Caregivers may also feel a sense of loss since their loved one is not the same as they were all of the holidays prior. Tending to such emotions may be particularly challenging during the holidays when so much is going on, so it helps to talk to your doctor before the holidays if you or your loved one struggles with depression. High Expectations: It is common for people with dementia to lack enthusiasm and interest in holidays. Caregivers may feel nostalgic over activities that their loved ones no longer understand or are able to participate in. Special traditions, such as decorating the house, lighting candles, or having company over for a meal may become too bothersome or dangerous to continue. Disrupted Routines: The holiday season can disrupt routines that have barely been established. Changes to the daily schedule or the presence of new or many people around can upset people with dementia. Travel: Having time off and seeing relatives often means that travel is involved. If you are feeling overburdened, it is okay to ask relatives to come to see you this year, or skip the reunion altogether. Traveling With Someone Who Has Dementia When traveling with your loved one, be sure to plan ahead so that the trip is enjoyable for everyone and you are prepared for any potential problems. You should consider the stage of your loved one's disease, and whether the trip you are considering is a good idea, or even possible. Remember to take care of yourself and your own needs while also caring for your loved one. Continued on Page 2

2 Coping with Holiday Stress Be sure the type of travel, the length of time you are gone, and the place you are visiting is appropriate for you and your loved one's abilities, needs, and preferences. Some precautions you can take include: Bringing medication Packing a change of clothes in case of an accident Asking another person to come along for help Scheduling extra bathroom stops along the way Scheduling extra breaks Traveling during the day rather than the evening Avoiding unfamiliar or busy places that might upset or confuse your loved one Tips for a Happy Holiday: While some traditions may no longer be practical or possible, new traditions can be started. Simple, repetitive tasks are safe and fun to do with your loved one. Such activities include: stringing garlands of popcorn or berries linking up paper chains making wreaths creating photo albums baking cookies writing and addressing greeting cards listening to holiday music reading holiday or religious stories It also helps to keep expectations in line with reality. If the perfect family get-together isn't in the cards, you can still look forward to spending time enjoying the holiday in other ways, or doing something special but simple, such as going for a walk together. Try to stick with regular schedules as much as possible and plan activities during the time of day when your loved one is most calm and interested. And remember to take care of yourself and your own needs while also caring for your loved one. Source: Dementia Care Central Coats, Coats, so many Coats... It s winter and everyone is bundled up against the cold. With so many members and so many coats it is vital all coats have the owner s name labeled on the inside collar. This ensures that the right coat goes home with the right owner. Thanks! Friendly Reminder: In an effort to stay within our dietary guidelines, we are NOT permitted to accept homemade food or desserts on behalf of our members. Thank you for your generosity and understanding!

3 Page 3 The Spectrum Times Volume 8, Issue 12 December Spectrum will CLOSE AT 3:00 PM Christmas Eve, 12/24/14 Spectrum will be CLOSED Christmas Day, 12/25/14 Spectrum will be OPEN New Years Eve, 12/31/14 Spectrum will be CLOSED New Years Day, 1/1/15 Please make arrangements with Gail McCarthy at ext to schedule your make up day for Christmas within the Month of December. Show your support! We are collecting donations for the Lazarus House in Lawrence, MA Now through December 14, 2014! 12/9 Jim Moses 12/11 Brian Corocoran 12/15 Dan Trembly (Films) 12/16 Billy Pezzulo 12/12 C.C. Yanakakis 12/18 Billy Glynn 12/22 Frances Owens 12/23 Charlie Dawson 12/24 Lenny Pearl 12/29 Bill Foley Unwrapped gifts are ideal! Thank You! 12/07 Erline R. 12/08 Elaine K. 12/26 Eleanor C.

4 Page 4 The Spectrum Times Volume 8, Issue 12 December 1 Baking Club 8 DRUM THERAPY 15 Baking Club Films Dan Trembly 22 Frances Owen 29 Laughter is the Best Medicine 2 Holiday Decorations Finish The Line 9 Baking Club Jim Moses 16 Holiday Trivia Happy Hanukkah! Billy Pezzulo 23 Birthday Charlie Dawson 30 LRC Dice Kevin Farley 3 Arts of Gold Cindy Bugden Music Trivia 10 The Price is Right! Express Yrself Karen Takis 17 Guess What s in the Stocking! Arts of Gold Cindy Bugden 24 Christmas Around The World Lenny Pearl 31 Snow Globes Name That Tune 4 Red Hatters Club Greeting Cards Crossword Social 11 Mad Hatters Club Sock Snowman Brian Corocoran 18 Red Hatters Club Pastor Steve What s Your Elf Name? Billy Glynn 5 Who Wants to be a Millionaire! 12 : C.C. Yanakakis Craft: Winter Wreath 19 Express Yrself Karen Takis Deal or No Deal Social Reminiscing Hour: Winter Memories Who Wants to be a Millionaire!

5 Page 5 The Spectrum Times Volume 8, Issue 12 December Stuffed Ham Steak With Port Wine Reduction Cheesecake 8 Stuffed Peppers Mashed Potatoes Fresh Wax Beans Oreo Pudding Cup Cake Menu ~ December Herb Baked Noodles Fresh Green Beans Apple Pie 9 Roasted Pork Orzo Florentine Pasta Fresh Asparagus Stir Fry Bread Pudding 3 Cheese Meat Lasagna Marinated Zucchini Salad Garlic Bread Cookies 10 Milano Baked Potato Braised Cabbage Éclairs 4 Yankee Pot Roast Baked Potato Fresh Stewed Tomatoes Blackberry Pie 11 Steak & Gravy Noodles Sautéed Zucchini &Tomatoes Peach Cobbler 5 Fish & Chips Coleslaw Root Beer Floats 12 Spinach Stuffed Breast Macaroni & Cheese Cauliflower au gratin Cookies Braised Beef Braised Red Cabbage Roasted Potatoes Cherry Pie Crispy Turkey with Orange Sauce Asian Vegetables NY Style Cheese Cake Pasta and Meatballs Tiramisu Sautéed Asian Beef Fresh Stewed Tomatoes Blackberry Pie Turkey Marsala Country Mashed Potatoes Sautéed Spinach Pineapple Upside Down Cake 22 Eggplant Napoleon Beets Key Lime Pie 23 Honey Brushed Carrots Cream Puffs 24 Pasta Pesto With Stewed Tomatoes Tiramisu HAPPY HOLIDAYS 26 with Wine & Mushroom Sauce Carrots Brownie oz Milk, 100% Juice, 2 oz rolls Stuffed Ham Steak With Port Wine Reduction Cheesecake Herb Baked Noodles Fresh Green Beans Apple Pie Cheese Meat Lasagna Marinated Zucchini Salad Garlic Bread Cookies are offered with all meals Alternate meal options are available upon request at all meals

6 Caregiver Support Group Free Respite Care Upon Request 2nd Wednesday of every month 2:00-3:30 p.m. Upcoming Meeting - December 10th Podiatrist Dr. Skinner makes his monthly visit to Spectrum December 31st Information & education about Alzheimer s disease and related memory disorders Increased understanding through shared experiences Mutual support from other caregivers Light refreshments will be provided To RSVP for respite care or with questions, please contact Gail McCarthy LCSW at ext or Gmccarth@nhs-healthlink.org Cuts by Colleen Cell Home Colleen is at Spectrum in North Andover December 16th (Checks Made out to Colleen Pepe) 1820 TURNPIKE STREET, NORTH ANDOVER, MA Spectrumdayprogram.org We are grateful to the following for their generous donations to Spectrum: Patricia and Daniel Glynn Fred and Carol Newell Stanley and Dorothy Abelson Robert and Claire Burns Dear Families, If your loved one will not be needing transportation on any given morning, please call Spectrum North Andover AND the van service to cancel the trip. Important phone numbers: Beauport Transportation Spectrum Van Spectrum N. Andover