Caregiving and the Holidays

Holiday gatherings are opportunities for families to get together and share laughter and memories. However, holiday gatherings, coupled with being a caregiver for an individual with Alzheimer’s, can lead to much stress and anxiety. To make the holidays memorable and enjoyable without constant strain, the caregiver has to first adjust his/her expectations. Realize that every holiday event or tradition does not have to be maintained exactly how it was through the years. The caregiver can choose a few traditions that were/are meaningful for their loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia and the family and adapt those traditions on a smaller scale.