Bring warmth, joy, and connection with your loved one with dementia through the heartfelt tradition of holiday decorating.
Decorating for the holidays can feel stressful, especially when you’re caring for a loved one with dementia. But it’s also a meaningful way to bring joy and connection into their life. Feeling useful and involved is so important for their emotional well-being. Whether it’s an actual holiday or one they believe it to be, creating a festive atmosphere can cultivate an atmosphere of joy and lead to meaningful conversations about past traditions. Here’s how you can make the experience enjoyable and enriching for both of you.
Making the most of holiday decorating
What to do
- Incorporate Familiar Decorations: Use decorations that hold sentimental value or feel familiar to your loved one. Lay out tangible reminders of the specific holiday, and let them choose and place the items themselves. This gives them a sense of ownership and pride.
- Keep It Simple: Avoid overwhelming the space—stick to a few key festive touches to create a cheerful environment without overcrowding.
- Choose Gentle Lighting: Twinkling lights can be overstimulating, so opt for static, warm lighting to enhance the holiday spirit while keeping things calm and comfortable.
Why it matters
Decorating together isn’t just about sprucing up the space; it’s about creating meaningful moments that help your loved one feel connected, capable, and valued.
- Stimulates Memory: Familiar decorations can jog cherished memories, bringing back joyful moments and sparking conversations about past traditions.
- Encourages Bonding: Shared activities like decorating strengthen connection and offer opportunities to reminisce, laugh, and create new memories together.
- Boosts Emotional Well-Being: Participating in familiar tasks brings a sense of accomplishment, helping your loved one feel useful and engaged.
Keep in mind
Holiday preparations can feel overwhelming, especially when caring for a loved one with dementia. But decorating together is a chance to slow down, connect, and bring a sense of warmth to both of your lives. By keeping decorations simple and familiar, you can create a calming, festive atmosphere that avoids overstimulation and confusion.
This holiday season, remember that it’s not just about the decorations—it’s about the connection, the shared memories, and the joy you create together.
