The Alzheimer’s Association of Shreveport/Bossier City would like to wish you a happy holiday season and offer a few helpful tips for families battling Alzheimer’s disease:

• Adjust expectations: Set realistic goals for celebrations.  Ask others to assist with meal preparation or hosting activities at their home.

• Involve the person with Dementia: Maintain routines, but ask your loved one to help with cooking, decorating and gift wrapping.  Try to maintain your most cherished traditions, like singing carols or watching favorite movies – you and your loved one may find comfort in the familiar.

• Adapt gift giving: Encourage people to buy useful gifts, like Safe Return bracelets comfortable clothing, or favorite music.  Involve person with dementia in gift giving.  Depending on abilities, have them bake/package cookies, or buy a gift and allow person to wrap it.

• Be flexible: Celebrating with brunch instead of dinner may minimize confusion and sundowners symptoms that often appear during early evening hours.    

• Make time for yourself: Hire a sitter/ have a neighbor sit with your loved one so you can visit a friend, shop or just have a break.  Remember to maintain your own mental, physical and spiritual health!

During this holiday season and always, we thank our community and our wonderful volunteers for supporting our organization and allowing us to serve those who are affected by this debilitating disease.

For more information, please visit our website at www.alz.org/louisiana, or call Regional Director JoAnna Hensley at (318) 861-8613.  Toll free 1-800-272-3900.