During the holidays especially, how can I connect with someone who has late-stage Alzheimer's disease?
As Alzheimer's disease progresses to the late or severe stage, there are still ways you can personally connect with the affected individual.
There is a common misconception that an individual in late-stage Alzheimer's is lost to the disease, but this is not the case. That affected individual is still the same person, but with limited abilities, and those things that make up the very core of their being still remain.
Sensory abilities are often still intact throughout the disease, and you can still have meaningful activities by engaging the five senses. Hanging Christmas lights around the house or in their personal living space can provide some visual stimulation. (Just don't make them blinking lights as this can be distracting and cause anxiety). Show creative artwork, collect some autumn leaves and, if possible, take her outside to observe the environment.
Auditory stimulation can be enjoyable and worthwhile. Nature sounds and music that mean something to the individual can lift her mood and also make her more responsive to you. And during the holiday season, music can bring back pleasant memories so share the loved one's favorite Christmas tunes together, as well as share sing-a-longs.
Some of our strongest memories are tied to our sense of smell, yet unfortunately smell and taste naturally deteriorate with age. Provide stimulating aromas during the holidays such as the smell of a Christmas tree or bake best-loved holiday recipes and allow those reminiscent aromas to fill the room. Give gentle hand massages using fragrances of the season. Make a hot or cold compress for the face by soaking a cloth in water using essential oil holiday scents such as pine, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, lemon, cedarwood, peppermint or Frankincense. Remember, however, never apply essential oils directly to the skin as carrier oils such as coconut, almond or avocado oil should always be diluted with it.
Additionally, an aromatic diffuser in the room can promote seasonal bouquets that will stimulate the individual's sense of smell.
Like the sense of smell, the sense of taste can remind us of special holidays and traditions. Tap into those foods that were so beloved by the individual around Christmastime.
For instance, did the individual make gingerbread houses? If so, for example, the smell and taste of gingerbread would trigger those particular memories. Work with tastings, such as candy canes, chocolates, favored side dishes and/or desserts of the season, accordingly with the individual's ability to eat without swallowing difficulties.
For the sense of touch, look for things that have textures and shapes and if using a Christmas theme or activity, allow the individual to touch and hold things like ornaments, pine cones, wreaths or cooking utensils. Or, comb hair, stroke a pet or just hold a furry blanket or pillow.
During this late-stage Alzheimer's, laugh, sing Christmas carols together, pray. While keeping connected with the affected individual through the five senses, the caregiver can not only continue the loving relationship, but more importantly, he is gaging a sense of self and giving that individual honor, respect and dignity.