Home for the Holidays
by Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS
The holiday season is a festive time of year, with increased activities and excitement. For many this is a special time, stimulating happy memories and anticipation. However, for individuals living with dementia or those living in a long-term care setting – it can be an unsettling time. Holiday celebrations are part of everyone’s lives. For the person living in a long-term care community, it may be a normal reaction to feel sad, anxious, or angry with the changes in routine and surroundings. Not being able to celebrate as one is accustomed to; not having access to a lifetime collection of decorations, china, linens, recipes; not having familiar family and friends nearby; and not having the freedom or independence to pursue holiday tasks of shopping, baking or decorating can contribute to a wide gamut of feelings in the individual, with or without dementia.
Some communities have suggested maintaining a “seasonless” environment which means a lack of seasonal décor, maintaining daily and weekly routines and minimal acknowledgement of holidays and seasons. Many do not agree with this approach for obvious reasons. One of the goals of long-term care living is to create a home. At home, we celebrate and acknowledge seasonal and holiday and personal life events. To ignore that lifelong practice, takes away from the feeling of home. The challenge we face as caregivers is to introduce holiday celebrations in just the right way that minimizes stress amongst the residents.
Here are some suggestions to keep the home in the holidays:
– Involve the residents in program planning. Planning holiday events is part of the fun. Involving the residents in menu planning, selecting entertainment, and creating decorations contributes to a sense of home. Anticipation and preparation are as important and sometimes more fun than the actual event.
– Create new rituals as a facility family. Although it may be difficult to practice each resident’s individual holiday tradition – new rituals may provide residents with happiness. Shared emotions are at the root of every ritual. Introducing collective activities, created by residents, families, and staff, is the start of new traditions involving the facility “family”.
– Holiday programming offers the activity professional many opportunities for theme-based activities. Crafts, cooking, discussion groups, reminiscence programs, word games as well as parties can focus on holiday traditions and practices. We need to accept that we just may not “fit it all” into the schedule. It is better to enjoy fewer activities more fully, rather than more activities in a hurry.
-Ensure a holiday approach from the elder’s perspective. In the past, holiday celebrations were less commercial and focused on the reason for the holiday. Keep that in mind while planning events. Making holiday decorations, re-visiting traditional celebratory events, and staying focused on the true meaning of each holiday would more effectively meet the needs of the residents.
-Don’t forget residents who may not have a strong support network of family or friends. Creating a “Secret Santa” program can ensure all residents have special visitors and attention during this busy time of year.
-Be sensitive to any signs and symptoms of sadness. If you notice that a normally happy resident is looking a little blue, take the time to validate their feelings. With some special attention, personalized reminiscence and emotional support, this resident can often feel better.
– The facility should be cautious about over stimulation. The holidays are busy times with increased visitors, entertainment, and changes in routine. This may prove disturbing for some, particularly the
person living with cognitive loss. Providing small and familiar programming on will contribute to a sense of continuity.
-Make the most of all those volunteers and visitors who like to come in the month of December. Many will agree to return after the holidays – if we just ask. While thanking them for their visit, mention that
community programs are welcome during the rest of the year. Have a ready list of suggested year-round programs such as sponsoring a bingo game, hosting a monthly social or game party to share as they leave. Even if only one third of the volunteers who visit in December agree to visit again in the New Year, you have increased your volunteer program.
“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.”
~ Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian.