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BJB EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Barbara J. Bridges, R.N., M.S.N., M.S.H.C.M., M.B.A.
Minimizing Stress--During a Busy Holiday Season
Please click on any underlined text for further information.
This article has been adapted for this page from information contained in
Chapter 12, Preventing Unnecessary Anxiety and Stress, in Therapeutic
Caregiving: A Practical Guide for Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer's and Other
Dementia Causing Diseases. This information focuses on minimizing stress
in the person with dementing illness. However, by so doing, life will be less stressful
for the caregiver, as well.
One of the major responsibilities of caregivers is to both predict and
prevent anxiety producing situations for their loved ones with dementing illness.
Minimizing stressful situations will reduce the possibility of behavior outbursts or the
potential for total withdrawal in the person with dementia. It is important for caregivers
to recognize that it is the little, every day things that promote stress in persons with
dementing illness causing diseases. During the holidays, everyone is more stressed. There
is so much to do--more food to prepare; more activity around the house; gifts to be
purchased and wrapped; more social gatherings; and, perhaps, frequent visits or over night
stays of family and friends. The holiday time can be particularly stressful for the person
with dementing illness. Caregivers cannot be effective if they are in a state of
heightened anxiety. The person with dementia will sense the hurried atmosphere and level
of increased anxiety. However, with a brain damaged from disease, it will be impossible
for the person with dementia to understand or rationalize this different feeling coming
from his/her caregiver. The result can be catastrophic. The higher the stress level in the
caregiver, the more stressed will be the person with dementing illness.
If the person with dementia is placed in a situation with which he/she
cannot cope, the result will be a catastrophic behavior change, or obvious symptoms of
anxiety which may last for days afterwards. The person with dementia simply does not have
the coping skills to deal with stressful situations. Here are some tips that will minimize
stress during this busy holiday season:
 | Activities need to be greatly simplified and minimized to reduce the
potential for stress.
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| Caregivers need to be particularly observant to identify subtle
indications of anxiety.
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| Recognize the symptoms of anxiety in the person with dementia. If your
loved one says something like: "It is getting dark, maybe we better go home;"
"I don't want to go to Suzy's for Christmas;" "There are so many people
here;" or "I'm tired," you had better listen. Your loved one is clearly
stressed. Get the person to a more private and quiet environment immediately. You may have
to shorten holiday visiting or simply tell family and friends you can't participate in
large gatherings this year.
If your loved one says he/she doesn't want to go, trust his/her wisdom. People with
dementia know, for the most part, what they can and can't tolerate. Forcing someone with
dementia into an anxiety producing situation for the sake of the caregiver or other family
members or friends simply will not work for anyone. If the caregiver must attend a family
gathering, arrange for respite care for the person with dementia. Or better yet, have a
simple holiday party at home.
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| Groups are very scary for persons with dementia under any circumstances.
There are so many people to remember, so much commotion, etc. Holiday gatherings must be
limited in size and shortened in length, and certainly minimized in number. My mother's
and my last Christmas together was just with the two of us. The year before when she
attended our large family Christmas Eve gathering, she was obviously anxious for the
entire week following.
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| If you are going to have family over for the holidays, solicit help from
them in preparing the food, etc. You will be burdened enough with caregiving
responsibilities without having the additional responsibilities of entertaining family or
friends
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| Keep alcohol to a minimum. If your loved one with dementia likes to
socialize with an alcoholic beverage, limit the drink to one, and make it very light.
Alcohol reduces cognitive abilities, and makes the already cognitively damaged brain even
less functional.
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| Getting physical exercise is extremely important both for the caregiver
and for the person with dementia throughout the year. Exercise increases endorphins in the
blood, causing a reduction in stress. It is important not to skip this essential part of
caregiving because of the holiday season rush.
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| Make sure both you as a caregiver and your loved one with dementing
illness have some private time to relax and collect your thoughts. Short breaks will
refresh your body and mind.
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| Pets can be very helpful in minimizing stress. Just thought I would show
you my favorite stress reducer, Muffy. She was Mother's favorite pet. They were
inseparable in the last couple of years my mother was alive.
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Does Muffy bunny look relaxed, or what?
In short, make your holidays and special events quiet and
relaxing. Do less, allow more time, and solicit assistance from others.
If you are interested in sponsoring a seminar/presentation,
Call: (800) 799-3414
or
Ms. Bridges: bjbservices@prodigy.net
   
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