How to Talk to Someone With Dementia: Strategies for Families

Stress-Free Holidays: Essential Tips for Family Caregivers Here you are, a caregiver on call 24/7 for someone you love, and suddenly its holiday time. You start thinking about inviting relatives, ordering the turkey, and getting out the holiday decorations. But wait a minute. Before your holiday autopilot kicks in, step back and look at where you are. The first thing you have to acknowledge is that things are different now, says Barbara Abramowitz, Massachusetts-based psychotherapist and herself a longtime caregiver. Maybe its time to rethink the holidays. Dont be bound by traditions. Give yourself permission to change things up. It can be liberating. We get caught up in expectations and what other people are going to think of us, Abramowitz told me. Be bold. Ask yourself, What do I want to keep, and what do I want to let go of? Give yourself time to think about whats really important about the holidays. Do You Have to Deck the Halls?Maybe you dont have to decorate every square inch of your home this year. Martha Shapiro, director of programs for Senior Concerns, which supports seniors and family caregivers in Southern California, says, Think outside the box. Dont be bound by traditions. Give yourself permission to change things up this holiday season. It can be liberating. That big family gathering? How about paring down the guest list this year? (Aunt Helen will just have to understand.) Pare down the menu, too. (Do you absolutely have to have mashed potatoes as well as sweet potatoes?) Bring in food from a good supermarket or a favorite restaurant, or make it a potluck this time; its a good way to give those reluctant siblings some way to help you out. One family moved to Chanukah in May when the airports would be less congested and the weather would be better. Even if the holiday meal has always been at your house, this might be the year to ask another family member to host. Easiest of all, if it works for your budget (or your sisters budget), hold the dinner at a hotel. The holiday decor, the giant buffet not to say the prep and the cleanup are all on them. Time-Shifting and Place-Shifting TipsWho says that everything has to be done in December? Send New Years greetings instead of the usual holiday cards in January. No one loves traveling on the holidays. One family moved to Chanukah in May when the airports would be less congested and the weather would be better. You can even move or extend the holiday itself. If its tough to get everyone to the same place on the same day, consider visiting with your person a day before or after. Beth Williams, who directed programs for the Alzheimers Association in nineteen counties in Georgia and is a former professor of gerontology, has counseled countless caregivers on how to manage the holidays. If (the person you care for) has lost the concept of time, she says, just celebrate. So Christmas could be December 24 or December 26. Think of it as a holiday helper you get to extend the holiday over more than one day, it takes some pressure off and you still get to celebrate. You could try place-shifting as well. One Massachusetts family ditched December in New Jersey, which was hard for the extended family to get to, opting instead for a July celebration in Rhode Island. Or go virtual. Covid taught us how to do all kinds of family get-togethers over Zoom. Many senior care facilities have tech folks who can help. Or ask one of the grandkids to go to Nanas place and set up the holiday Zoom call. Dont Forget the Comfort and Joy for YourselfNo question that youre under stress as a caregiver. Everyone keeps telling you to make time for self-care, but its harder now than ever. So sneak it in. Seriously. Breathe. Or stare at the sky or your garden and reconnect with your senses and soul. According to Abramowitz, The respite doesnt have to be in big chunks. It can be in the moment. Pause in the transitions between activities. In the car, take a moment before heading to your destination. Breathe. Take time between appointments. Breathe. Or stare at the sky or your garden and reconnect with your senses and soul. Breathe. While shopping for gifts at the mall, find a coffee shop, sit down and treat yourself to one of those only-at-the-holidays specialty drinks. And when you go to the Post Office to mail off the presents, look at the revolving gift card kiosk. Theyve got cards from retailers and restaurants, movie theaters, online stores and more. Prices can be as low as $10 or $20. Treat Yourself to Your Holiday GiftFor delayed gratification, book a massage for January or February (check out local massage franchises, health clubs, spas and massage schools). You deserve it. Dr. Karen Midyet, a clinical psychologist in Fort Collins, Colorado, whose coaching practice includes many older caregivers, knows how critical self-care is. I tell them, hire somebody to come in so you can leave for a few hours. Sometimes, she adds, you can just do something as simple as sitting outside in the sun for one minute, taking a short walk with the dog. A short walk is better than no walk. For some extra help during the holidays, Shapiro suggests looking into the senior centers in your area (search on senior centers near me and adult day care near me). Many of them offer unique programs and caregiver support groups during holiday times. Several states offer free respite care services. Check out the Family Caregiver Alliance for details on respite programs, state by state. The National Adult Day Services Association has an interactive Find a Center map for daycare facilities nationwide. Respite care for veterans and their caregivers is also available through the US Department of Veterans Affairs. All Dad Wants For Christmas is YouYour first impulse may be to bring Mom or Dad home for a family gathering. But if your person is in a care facility, Shapiro points out, it may be more detrimental to bring them to your house and bring them back. For a lot of people with dementia, the back-and-forth causes stress. Big gatherings and blinking Christmas lights may also be overwhelming. So bring a quiet celebration to them or join in whatever holiday event the care facility offers. Bring your persons favorite holiday food, get a stack of holiday cards to look through, show photos of the family in their red-and-green elf caps, or FaceTime with the grandchildren. If you want your person to enjoy the holiday, it has to be meaningful to them. If you want your person to enjoy the holiday, it has to be meaningful to them, says Williams. Keep the tradition of celebrating; just shift the focus. If youre taking Mom to someones party, consider what she needs. Have a quick meal, Williams advises. Just stay for an hour. The key, says Shapiro, is to plan. Set things up for success. If youre going to someones house, make sure there is a chair they can get in and out of, a quiet room they can retreat to. You need to find a way to make it comfortable and realistic. If your loved one has dementia, they can still engage in reminiscing. Use that to your advantage, she says. When the family gets together, ask what was the favorite part of this holiday for each of us. Have an intergenerational table and design questions so the older people can impart their memories. Shapiro adds, With dementia you have to slow everybody down. Tell them that after dinner, were all going to sit on a couch and listen to some stories. Holidays often involve religious observances, but extended services and large crowds may not work this year. Do you have to go to church for the big gathering? Williams asks caregivers. Try Saturday evening instead. You could call Father So-and-so and ask, Can we come as a small group, and could you give us a sermon and Communion?' Jim Sherblom, a social impact investor and former Unitarian Universalist minister in Brookline, Massachusetts, encouraged innovative ways to mark the holidays. Especially if it was difficult for his congregants to get to church, he would invite them over to his house, and they would walk together in the nearby woods. These days many religious groups live stream their services. All Dad wanted for Christmas was church, one caregiver told me. So we watched the holiday service on his iPad, and it worked just fine. Ask your person what theyd like to do for the holidays it may surprise you. Leave day-to-day activities behind, put on your fancy clothes (or that once-a-year Christmas sweater), and share some moments. Focus on that. Stick to whats doable and enjoyable for you and meaningful for your person. Reminiscing may be the best way to enrich your persons day. Play the music that moves them, says Williams. Maybe its just the same five oldies. Thats okay. Run old family movies on a loop. Or maybe its playing a game together, laughing, watching a football game. Holidays are an opportunity to create new rituals, Abramowitz reminds us. We get to remake the holidays. We get to create what we want. You never know this could be the last holiday with your person. Take a lot of photos, says Shapiro, adding, take mental photos. Say to yourself, I will capture this and remember this moment. Whatever you create, whether you trim the tree or trim down the festivities, the holidays are still a unique time to build new memories and savor the simple joy of being with people you love. Writer: Connie Baher This article originally published on nextavenue.org___________ SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Contact Synergy HomeCare of Daphne at 251-621-1900 to learn how we can provide additional support to you and your loved ones.

What Long-Term Care Services Does Medicaid Cover in Colorado? Navigating the complexities of long-term care can be overwhelming, especially for seniors and caregivers. If you're in Colorado and exploring options, Long-Term Care Medicaid offers essential support for seniors needing extended care services. Here's what it typically covers:Services Covered by Long-Term Care Medicaid: Nursing Home Care, Assisted Living, or Memory Care: Comprehensive medical and personal care for those in living communities. Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): Assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, provided in the comfort of your home or community. Adult Day Care: Structured programs that offer supervision, social interaction, and activities for seniors needing daytime assistance. Real-Life Example:One of our clients, with $100,000 in cash, a home, 2 cars, and a monthly income of $4,000, successfully qualified for Long-Term Care Medicaid. With professional assistance, they were able to access these vital services without exhausting their resources.Colorado's Medicaid program is designed to ensure seniors receive the care they need while protecting their financial well-being. If you're considering applying for Long-Term Care Medicaid, dont hesitate to explore how you, too, can qualify. Take the questionnaire to see if you qualify! www.doinggoodforothers.com/questionnaire

When we age, taking care of our health becomes increasingly important. One area that deserves special attention is our vision, particularly the risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss if not detected and managed early. For seniors with diabetes, monitoring eye health becomes even more necessary, as diabetes can increase the risk of developing conditions like glaucoma. Being proactive about eye health can make a significant difference in maintaining good vision for years to come.The Link Between Diabetes and GlaucomaDiabetes can cause various health problems, including those affecting the eyes. High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes, leading to conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Seniors with diabetes are at a higher risk for these eye problems, making it essential to keep a close eye on eye health.How Glaucoma Affects VisionGlaucoma is a progressive disease that affects the optic nerve in the eye. Over time, it can lead to a gradual loss of vision, often starting with peripheral (side) vision. As the condition progresses, it may lead to tunnel vision or even complete blindness if left untreated. Early on, glaucoma may not present any noticeable symptoms, which is why regular eye exams are vital. Signs to watch for include blurred vision, halos around lights, or loss of peripheral vision.Early Warning Signs of Deteriorating Eye HealthRecognizing the early warning signs of glaucoma and other eye conditions is necessary for seniors, especially those managing diabetes. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for:Sudden or gradual loss of peripheral visionSeeing halos or rainbows around lightsEye pain or rednessBlurred visionHeadaches or eye discomfortEarly detection allows for better management of the condition, potentially preserving vision.Why You Need Regular Eye ExamsRegular eye exams play a key role in detecting glaucoma early. Eye doctors can perform tests to measure intraocular pressure and examine the optic nerve, helping to identify signs of glaucoma. Seniors should aim to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year or more often if recommended by their doctor. Staying vigilant with eye exams ensures that any changes in vision can be addressed promptly.Tips for Proactively Monitoring Eye Health at HomeIn addition to regular eye exams, there are practical steps seniors can take at home to monitor their eye health. Using good lighting when reading or performing activities can help reduce eye strain. Wearing sunglasses outdoors protects against harmful UV rays that can damage the eyes over time. You need to pay attention to any changes in vision and note them down for discussion with an eye care professional. Some seniors find it helpful to use tools like an Amsler grid to regularly check for vision distortion. Protect Your EyesProactively monitoring your eyes for glaucoma is a necessary part of maintaining overall health, particularly for seniors with diabetes. Understanding the relationship between diabetes and eye health and recognizing early warning signs of conditions like glaucoma can make a big difference. By scheduling regular eye exams and taking steps to monitor vision at home, seniors can protect their eyesight and enjoy their golden years with clarity. If you or a loved one in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, or Longmont need support in managing eye health, reach out to Senior Helpers Greeley 970-373-3858.