 Often as family and friends gather to celebrate,
symptoms of dementia become clear. Memory loss may be more evident,
anxiety sometimes increases in a crowd where there’s lots of noise
and conversation, and unfamiliar surroundings may reveal challenges
that don’t exist at home.
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a caregiver holiday guide that
shows how, with careful planning, family celebrations can be a
meaningful part of the holidays while ensuring safety, comfort and
enjoyment for everyone. Its purpose is to help alleviate some of the
stress associated with the additional activities and changes in
routine at this time of year. If you have a caregiver or a person
with Alzheimer's on your gift-giving list, we've got some
suggestions to make your shopping a bit easier:
Gifts for people with Alzheimer's - In the early stages
Items to help remember things
magnetic reminder refrigerator pads
Post-It notes
baskets or trays that can be labeled within cabinets or drawers
a small pocket-sized diary or notebook
erasable whiteboards for key rooms in the house
a memorable calendar featuring family photos – write special family
occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries
Items to help with everyday tasks
a memory phone that can store up to eight pictures with the names
and contact information of family and friends
automatic medication dispenser that can help the person living with
Alzheimer’s remember to take medicine
nightlights that come on automatically when it gets dark
a clock with the date and time in large type
Items to help keep the person engaged
an outing to a movie, play or concert, sporting event, museum or
possibly an organized holiday shopping trip with friends and family
favorite musical CDs or playlist with a compilation of favorite
tunes
A collection of favorite movies
activities such as scrapbooking or other craft projects
Gifts for people with Alzheimer's - In the
middle-to-late stages
Sensory stimulation gifts. Stimulating the five senses may
bring back pleasant memories. Give gifts such as:
scented lotions
a fluffy bathrobe in a favorite color
a soft blanket or afghan to keep warm
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 Clothes. Get comfortable, easy to remove,
easily washable clothes such as:
sweat suits
knits
large banded socks
shoes with Velcro ties
wrinkle-free nightgowns, nightshirts and robes
Music. Research shows that music has a positive impact on
individuals with Alzheimer’s, bringing them back to good times,
increasing stimulation and providing an opportunity to interact with
family members. Buy their favorite CDs or create a playlist full of
musical favorites.
Framed photographs or a photo collage. Copy photos of family
members and friends at photo centers, insert the names of the people
in the photo and put in frames or in a photo album created
specifically for that person.
Gifts for caregivers
The gift of time. Cost-effective and truly meaningful gifts
are self-made coupons for cleaning the house, cooking a meal, mowing
the lawn, shoveling the driveway, and giving time off so a caregiver
can do something to meet their needs.
Gift cards and certificates. Give gift certificates for
restaurants, laundry/dry cleaning services, lawn care services,
computer/technology support, maid services, and personal pampering
services such as massages and pedicures.
Books. In addition to giving novels on the caregiver's
"must-read" list, there are also a number of books on caregiving.
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 230,000
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.
[Elizabeth Cook] |
