 This burden on women is never more apparent than on
Mother's Day, when families come together to celebrate their mothers
and grandmothers. The disease places an unbalanced burden on women
at work and at home, forcing them to make difficult choices about
their careers, their relationships and their futures.
About 13 million women are either living with Alzheimer's or caring
for someone who has it.
Nearly two-thirds of the more than 5 million Americans with
Alzheimer's are women.
More than 60 percent of Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers are
women.
Celebrating Mother's Day, like other holidays, can be challenging
when a mom is living with Alzheimer's. On these kinds of special
occasions, a person with Alzheimer's may feel a sense of loss
because of the changes being experienced as a result of the disease.
At the same time, caregivers and other family members may struggle
with figuring out how to celebrate Mother's Day with someone living
with dementia. Mother's Day can remain a meaningful and enjoyable
occasion for families impacted by Alzheimer's disease. Planning will
take more thought and each family's unique circumstances will need
to be taken into consideration.
The following tips from the Alzheimer's Association can help:
Take a person-centered approach. Focus on what is enjoyable
for the person with Alzheimer's, such as looking at family pictures
or enjoying the person's favorite food. If they get overwhelmed in
large groups, a small quiet gathering may be preferable.
Keep it simple. Consider a celebration over lunch or brunch
at home or where the person is most comfortable. Ask family or
friends to bring dishes for a potluck meal or have food delivered by
a local restaurant or grocery store.
Join In. If the person with Alzheimer's lives in a care
facility, consider joining in any facility-planned activities.
Don't overdo it. Sticking to the person's
normal routine will help keep the day from becoming disruptive or
confusing. Depending on the person's stamina, plan time for breaks
so the person can rest in a quiet area away from noise and crowds.
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 Adapt gift-giving. Encourage safe and
useful gifts for the person with Alzheimer's. Diminishing capacity
may make some gifts unusable or even dangerous to a person with
dementia. If someone asks for gift ideas, suggest items the person
with dementia needs or can easily enjoy. Ideas include: an
identification bracelet, comfortable clothing, favorite foods and
photo albums.
Educate yourself and find support. Call the 24/7
Helpline 800.272.3900, to speak with a trained social worker
whenever you have questions or concerns. Learn more about
Alzheimer's in the Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Center at
alz.org/care. For more tips on supporting a family member with
Alzheimer's, join the ALZConnected online community, and find more
information about your local Alzheimer's Association chapter
services and programs.
About the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter:
The Alzheimer’s Association® is the world’s leading voluntary health
organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Our mission
is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of
research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected;
and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain
health.
The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter
covers an 87-county area with offices in Chicago, Joliet, Rockford,
Springfield, Bloomington, Peoria, Quincy and Carbondale. Since 1980,
the Chapter has provided reliable information and care consultation;
created supportive services for families; increased funding for
dementia research; and influenced public policy changes.
The Illinois Chapter serves more than half a
million Illinois residents affected by Alzheimer's disease,
including more than 220,000 Illinois residents living with the
disease. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's®. For more
information visit www.alz.
org/illinois or call our free 24/7 Helpline at
800.272.3900.
[Kaylin Risvold
Senior Manager, Media Relations] |
