Christmas is a time of joy, celebrations, and being with family but it can be challenging for families caring for loved ones with dementia. You might want to make your home festive, but worry about how to make the space safe, enjoyable for your loved one with dementia. This article looks at ways to create a safe and festive christmas décor for dementia.
Hopefully, your loved one will love everything, but too many changes may be disconcerting or confusing:-
- Be mindful of decorations that may alter the perception of space.
- Consider quiet areas for loved ones that may feel overwhelmed.
- Encourage flexibility in holiday traditions to suit individual comfort levels.
- Utilise familiar items to create a sense of normality.
- Think about what safety hazards could arise
The familiarity of your home brings comfort to us and seeing it with Christmas decorations can also evoke memories of happy times, so let’s keep things simple, clutter free and safe by following these 10 tips for decorating or reviewing your Christmas décor for this year.
Tip 1: Opt for Non-Flashing Lights to Reduce Confusion
When decorating for a loved one with dementia, think gentle and calm. Those twinkling holiday lights might look magical to us, but they could be overwhelming for someone with dementia. Choose steady, soft lights that stay on consistently. Battery-operated options are best – they’re safer and eliminate those tripping hazards from electrical cords. Our goal is to create a warm, soothing Christmas atmosphere that brings comfort and joy, not stress.
Tip 2: Use Familiar Decorations to Evoke Positive Memories
As you decorate for the holidays, think about using nostalgic decorations. Do you have family favourite decorations that can remind you of the good times that you spent together at Christmas?
- Choose a few special, dementia-friendly Christmas decorations that mean a lot to you and your loved one. Add classic holiday music, sing carols or familiar scents like pine or cinnamon when decorating to create a comforting atmosphere.
Tip 3: Avoid Fragile or Breakable Ornaments
For safe Christmas decorations for dementia, go for ornaments that won’t break. Stay away from delicate glass or ceramic ones that could shatter. Choose sturdy, material, plastic or wooden ones instead. They’re safer and won’t cause cuts or accidents. If you do use fragile ornaments, put them high up.
Also, avoid decorations that look like food. They might be mistaken for real food, which could result in a choking hazard.
- Choose unbreakable, non-fragile ornaments
- Place any fragile decorations out of reach, above eye level
- Avoid decorations that look like food to prevent choking hazards
Focus on safe ornament ideas, non-toxic decorations, and safe Christmas decorations for dementia.
Tip 4: Keep Walkways Clear
Your loved one with dementia may struggle with balance, making falls a bigger risk. Make sure all paths are free from decorations, especially if your loved ones tend to pace.
- Avoid using holiday throw rugs, which can be a tripping hazard.
- Ensure that extension cords are taped down or placed under rugs to prevent falls.
- Minimise floor decorations as much as possible
- Keep all pathways clear of decorations to ensure the safety of those living with dementia.
Tip 5: Create a Calm Atmosphere through Colour Choices
Try using calming Christmas colours to create a comfortable atmosphere. Avoid busy patterns or too many colours. They can overwhelm and confuse those with dementia. Stick to a consistent colour palette for your decorations. This keeps things familiar and soothing, making your home dementia-friendly.
Consider these colours for your decorations:
- Soft, muted tones like creams, beiges, and light blues
- Natural, earthy hues such as greens, browns, and whites
- Incorporate natural elements like pine cones, greenery, and wood tones for a serene, rustic feel
- Classic combinations like red and white or silver and gold
Tip 6: Be Careful With Scents
Scents like cinnamon or pine might bring back nice memories but other scents can also cause confusion or remind your loved ones with dementia of more difficult times.
To find the right mix, use scents lightly around your home. Choose decorations or candles with mild, familiar scents, or even better use battery operated candles instead to be safer. Watch how your loved one reacts and change the scents if needed.
- Some people find certain smells comforting, while others might find them too much. Scents can be powerful in evoking memories both good and bad.
- Watch your loved one’s signs closely. Be ready to take away or lessen any scents that upset or confuse them.
Tip 7: Use Interactive Decorations
This Christmas, think about using interactive decorations that can help loved ones with dementia. A great idea is a “sensory tree”. It’s a tree covered in soft, touchable sensory-stimulating ornaments. These encourage people to explore with their hands (ensure the tree is secured).
For a dementia-friendly Christmas, use ornaments with different textures. You could use fuzzy pompoms, silky ribbons, or smooth wooden shapes.
Hang family photos or memorabilia on a “memory tree” to evoke fond recollections.
- Incorporate wind chimes, bells, or other sound-producing elements to engage the auditory senses.
- Include scented sachets or cinnamon sticks to stimulate the sense of smell.
Make sure any interactive parts are safe and right for the your loved one with dementia and of course for the rest of the family especially with young kids or pets.
Tip 8: Get Everyone Involved in Decorating
Getting your loved one with dementia to help with Christmas decorations can be fun for everyone. Activities like arranging ornaments, making paperchains, hanging tinsel etc and more can bring joy and purpose to your loved one.
- Engage your loved one in decorating tasks that are safe and easy for them.
- Get them to add their own signature touches and preferences.
- Help when needed, but don’t do everything.
Tip 9: Label Decorations for Easy Recognition
When putting away your decorations after the festive season, labelling your decorations can help those with dementia find their way around in future years. Use clear labels on boxes and items to help find favourite decorations.
Think about making a ‘memory box’ with labelled dementia-friendly holiday items. It can have favourite ornaments, photos, and safe Christmas decorations.
- Label storage boxes and decoration items with large, legible text.
- Use simple, descriptive labels that clearly identify the contents.
- Help place boxes in visible & easy to reach locations
Tip 10: Monitor for Any Discomfort and Adjust
Watch for signs of discomfort like agitation, confusion, or withdrawal. If certain decorations upset your loved one, remove or change them right away.
Christmas should be filled with celebration and cherished moments, not stress. Being flexible and adaptable is key to making it special whilst still focus on your loved one’s well-being.
Finally
Creating a festive space for a loved one with dementia is all about warmth, safety, and love. By choosing simple decorations and keeping things familiar, you’ll make Christmas safe & festive for everyone, creating moments of joy and connection that bring your family together.
Merry Christmas!
