Little Things Are The Big Things !!!
This week, Ignar has given us all simple ideas that enable us to engage people living with dementia in the Christmas festivities.
His film and this simple list of ideas and suggestions reminds us all that our insight, time and conversation can be the best Christmas present for a person with dementia.
It’s not about huge amounts of money, it’s about thought and time because at this time of year #LittleThingsAreTheBigThings
How do you involve people with dementia in the Christmas happiness?
How do you make Christmas a wonderful time for them?
It simple - By involving them in the Christmas preparations.
How? By doing things together, by encouraging them to work with you. This creates an ambiance where the person with dementia feels confident to try, they may make mistakes, may forget things but they feel accepted for who they are . It is in this atmosphere that the person with dementia can rise above themselves.
Tips:
Make mistakes yourselves, drop a Christmas bauble.
Ask the person with dementia for help
What to could you do?
Making Christmas cards
Writing Christmas cards
Sticking postage stamps
Reading addresses
Talking about the people who receive the cards
Decorating the Christmas tree
Getting the decoration out of the box
Doing hooks on the ornaments
Hanging the ornaments
Taste & Smells bring back memories
What was on the Christmas menu in the past ?
What were the favourite Christmas cookies
What was on the Christmas dinner table / breakfast
Are these still available to buy
Can you bake them yourself?
Reviving ancient traditions
Renew Christmas traditions from the past of the person with dementia
Eat this Christmas the Christmas from their middle age.
Get the whole family involved in this , it’s fun for children and grandchildren
Get to know old recipes and doing these preparations helps to connect things together for a person with dementia.
How to do / Or what to do when you visit
Talk about your own Christmas memories
Doing things together / Sitting in the kitchen encourage participation ny holding things for you
Creative activities - these can work around every limitation
Making menu cards
Making floral Christmas arrangements
Christmas decoration
Conversation piece
Talk about your own Christmas memories
Ask friends to drop in and have a chat
Put on Christmas music – sing together
Christmas at school / Going to church