HAVE YOUR SAY
NEW research by the Alzheimer’s Society today reveals more than half of people
affected by dementia find Christmas to be the most isolating time of the year.
But one Lancashire family have arranged an alternative Christmas for their
loved one, to make the festive period more special.
“We don’t dwell on the past or the future. The dementia is now part of
mum’s life and we just work with that.” Susan Restorick, 59, and her family
have arranged an alternative Christmas for her mother Cora, 87, who lives in a
specialist dementia care home. They will be taking a Christmas picnic into the
home and spending the day with her there as they don’t want her to feel
isolated over the festive period.
Susan, from Lytham, explains: “This Christmas
we wanted to do something a little different with mum. “As she struggles to eat
some food now, my daughter is putting together a Christmas picnic that we are
going to all have in the care home on Christmas Day.
“It started just being me
going to visit, but now the whole family are coming. “As a family we have a
very positive outlook. We don’t dwell on the past or the future we take the
approach of focusing on the now.
“The dementia is now part of mum’s life and we
just work with that. “That’s why we want to celebrate Christmas in this way with
mum and give her a lovely day.”
The family’s heartwarming plans come as new
research by the Alzheimer’s Society has uncovered that more than half of people
affected by dementia (51 per cent) find Christmas to be the most isolating time
of the year, with many stating they are dreading the festivities. Fifty-four
per cent of those surveyed said they see their friends and family less often
over the Christmas period than they did before their dementia diagnosis.
Living
with dementia can be very challenging – but around this time of year the
difficulties people face and the emotions they experience are often heightened,
with 49 per cent of those surveyed reporting that the change in their usual
routine is stressful. Thirty-eight per cent felt the extra noise associated
with the excitement of the festive season can be stressful and 31 per cent
found preparing Christmas dinner more challenging and 22 per cent said
decorations such as Christmas lights and trees can be irritating and confusing.
Despite the challenges, people affected by dementia have told Alzheimer’s
Society that there are things that will make their Christmas a more enjoyable
experience. This includes seeing friends and family more frequently and keeping
to their daily routine as much as possible, such as set meal times. Sharing
experiences and talking to others in a similar situation were also cited as
important to having the best possible Christmas.
Deborah Parker, operations
manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Lancashire says: “While for many this time
of year is full of excitement, we must not forget that dementia doesn’t stop at
Christmas and feelings such as isolation and confusion can be intensified
during this time of year.”
To support families affected by dementia at this
time of year, Alzheimer’s Society has created an infographic with guidance including introducing
Christmas decorations gradually, over the course of a few days or even a week,
so that it doesn’t come as a big change to the person’s usual setting.
Alzheimer’s Society also provides a range of services to enable people to have
the best possible experience over the festive season.
SOURCE: Lancashire Evening Post
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