If your senior mom or dad has Alzheimer’s and they will be part of family Thanksgiving this year, there are some things that you can do to help them enjoy the holiday. Your mom or dad might be nervous about being around many people, especially if they are around relatives they haven’t seen a long time. If your mom or dad has Alzheimer’s home care services, having their care provider there can help reassure them and make them feel more secure.
Alzheimer’s home care is specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s. Seniors who are living alone and have Alzheimer’s can get support that will help them at every stage of their illness with Alzheimer’s home care.
When you’re planning a Thanksgiving celebration that will include your senior parent who has Alzheimer’s use these tips to make the experience as stress-free for your mom or dad as possible:
Simplify the Menu
A full Thanksgiving dinner can be overwhelming for seniors with Alzheimer’s. If you want to make a wide variety of dishes for other guests you can, but make sure to have some simple and easy to eat options for your senior mom or dad. They may be more comfortable sticking with familiar foods.
Create a Calm Environment
Seniors with Alzheimer’s often get confused or anxious in noisy, fast-paced environments. To make things easier, create a calm and quiet atmosphere. Lower the volume of background music or TV and avoid having too many people in one space.
Break up larger gatherings into smaller, quieter groups. Keep the lights soft and make sure the space feels familiar and comfortable. A peaceful environment will help reduce anxiety and confusion during the meal.
A good way to make sure that your senior parent doesn’t get agitated or overwhelmed by the all the unfamiliar stimuli is to put them in a comfortable chair in a quiet corner with soft light away from the noise and fuss in the kitchen. People can approach your mom or dad to visit with them quietly.
Involve Them in Simple Tasks
Although Alzheimer’s can limit cognitive function, seniors often still enjoy participating in family activities. Giving your parent small, simple tasks can help them feel included. These tasks can be things like folding napkins, setting the table, or mixing ingredients.
Make sure the tasks are easy and safe. This way, your loved one can stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. With help from their Alzheimer’s home care provider, they can have a sense of involvement improve their mood, and make them feel useful.
Serve Finger Foods and Cut Small Portions
Eating can become more challenging for people with Alzheimer’s as the disease progresses. They may have difficulty using utensils or chewing larger bites.
To make things easier, serve foods that are easy to eat with the hands, like turkey sliders, bite-sized vegetables, or small rolls.
Cut portions into smaller, manageable pieces to make the meal less daunting. If your loved one struggles with remembering how to eat, gentle reminders or assistance may be necessary.
Stick to a Routine
Changes in routine can be difficult for someone with Alzheimer’s. Thanksgiving can disrupt normal schedules with its big meals and busy gatherings.
To ease this, try to stick to your loved one’s usual routine as much as possible. Serve the meal around their regular mealtime and avoid keeping them up too late. Familiarity helps reduce confusion and keeps them more relaxed. Their Alzheimer’s home care providers can be there to assist. Also, provide breaks during the event, allowing them to rest or retreat to a quieter space if needed.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care Services in Reedley CA please get in touch with the caring staff at A-Plus In Home Care, Inc. today. Call (559) 224-9442.
A-Plus In Home Care, Inc. is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Fresno, Clovis, Sunnyside, Fowler, Reedley, Selma, Sanger, Madera CA, and surrounding areas.
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