The 5 Senses of Christmas and Living with Dementia

The sight of a Christmas tree lit up in the evening, the sound of the Smooth Jazz Christmas Radio station on Pandora, the taste of a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha or your favorite holiday drink that feels like a hug to your soul, the smell of that amazing candle that makes you feel all cozy at home, your hand reaching down into a stocking full of surprises... perhaps you're feeling what the Dutch call "hygge," a feeling that encompasses coziness. This is what I felt when I described the Christmas tree lights, the music, the taste of peppermint mocha, the smell of the candle, and the stocking full of surprises. I feel this sense of coziness ... why wouldn't a person with dementia? One of my passions in life is bringing awareness about the individual who has dementia. Often times they are considered to be different because of the disease. However they are an individual living with a disease not the other way around. The disease impacts his or her ability to experience the world differently, but it doesn't remove the human experience of wanting to also feel that sense of hygge at Christmas and during the holidays.

Now the fun part... who is the person with dementia? What favorite Christmas memories do they have- is it a room full of laughter while baking, watching a movie, sitting quietly while holding a loved ones hand or hugging, sharing memories with a relative, opening presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas? The list can go on. The best expert- the person with dementia. The key- tapping into the six senses- yes I said six- of sight, sound, smell, touch, taste, and HUMOR- with various activities. It's all about getting creative and focusing on what the individual is capable of doing.

Whether in the early or late stages the person with dementia has many ways of telling you what would bring them that wonderful feeling of coziness. Last year you rode around looking at Christmas lights, but this year they want to stay home. This doesn't have to change the activity if they still enjoy it- perhaps you watch a Christmas Decorating Show or ABC's Christmas Light Fight. Perhaps you normally make lots of cookies, but now there are challenges with hand eye coordination- that's okay- there is a part of baking where anyone can participate- picking the recipe, dumping the ingredients into the bowl, stirring and measuring with help, and who doesn't like to be the one to lick the spoon or put their finger in the bowl (when people aren't looking)! Let's say your loved one loved to sing Christmas songs but now they participate by humming and moving their hands to the music. Keep the music going... especially with those favorite songs. Admit it... you've forgotten the words to a song once or twice but kept humming and moving your hands.

Remember most importantly- the person with dementia is the expert. There are no rules. There is no right or wrong. This could be a time to refresh some of those traditions with a new twist. Tap into those senses of sight, sound, smell, touch, taste, and HUMOR. Everyone has something that brings them comfort... bringing a sense of hygge to a person with dementia is the greatest gift you can give them.