Thanksgiving Gatherings Important for Those with Memory Loss

Thanksgiving is all about bringing families of all ages together to enjoy a feast of favorite foods and the warm company of each other. Which is why Thanksgiving family gatherings are important for those struggling with memory loss.

Holiday dinners often draw relatives from near and far. Many people, especially grandchildren, may have not had the opportunity to visit their loved one who is living in a memory care senior living community. Thanksgiving makes it easy and convenient for memory-challenged seniors to reconnect with familiar faces in a setting comfortable for everyone.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Have dinner earlier in the day – Seniors with memory impairment find comfort in routine. It’s best to try to match up your plans for the day to what he or she is used to. Additionally, you might want to schedule the meal earlier in the day to avoid the agitation and confusion of “sundowning” a common syndrome affecting people living with dementia in the late afternoon and early evening. Turning Thanksgiving dinner into a Thanksgiving lunch is a good way to enjoy a different twist on the meal to put everyone in a good mood.
   


2. Set your loved one up for success – Memory-challenged seniors don’t do well with surprises. Prepare them for the big day in advance by showing them photos of the people who will be attending, having Facetime chats beforehand or giving them an “invitation” outlining what’s going to be happening and when.
   


3. Let your guests know what to expect – Family members who have not seen your loved one in a while may be taken aback at the changes they might see. Let them know how your senior is and how they may act or react. Avoid asking questions like “Do you know who this is?” which he or she may or may not be able to answer correctly. Tell them just to quietly be there with their support and love. That’s something everyone responds to positively.
   


4. Include your loved one in the preparations and celebration – Focus on what your senior can do rather than what they can’t do. It may mean having them assemble the ingredients for a simple dish or setting the table. Afterwards you might want to sing favorite songs, look through old photos, play simple games or even have them help with the clean up.
   


5. Create a quiet space they can retreat to – While joyful, celebrations can become overstimulating for seniors with memory challenges. Plan to have a quiet space they can go to if the day becomes too much for them. You can have ready a favorite comfort item, like a blanket, cardigan or even a stuffed animal to help soothe.
   

Because Thanksgiving family gatherings are important for those with memory loss, make thoughtful preparations and plan activities to make the celebration enjoyable for everyone.

Warm-hearted, Compassionate Memory Care at MorningStar

If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a memory care community near their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offering care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Curious? Contact us to learn more to see for yourself the finest memory care community MorningStar offers.