“Redefining Dementia one person at a time”

^{Healthy Mind, Healthy Life}

^{Celebrating the Seasons}

 _{(photo credit: lifeline.com)}

Celebrate: To acknowledge a significant or happy day or event with a social gathering or enjoyable activity. _{(credit: Oxford Dictionary)}

_{^{Welcoming the Season}}

Tips to an enjoyable seasonal experience for your person living with dementia:

• Holiday decorations can serve as a constant reminder, orienting the person to the season and upcoming holidays. Your person may enjoy helping you decorate. This can be a time of meaningful connection with your person.

• Engaging in favorite seasonal activities of special meals, crafts, or outings such as musical events may evoke pleasant memories of past experiences and allow for wonderful conversations.

• Stimulate the senses. There are many colors, scents, tastes, and sounds that can help orient the person to the season, and help them enjoy more aspects of the season that they are in.

Consider the following when you engage with your person living with dementia:

• Consider past interests and hobbies when attempting to include them in activities.

• Simplify expectations if your person seems overwhelmed – sometimes it is okay for them to just watch and allow participation as they feel comfortable.

• Extend the invitation for participation and allow person to choose which pieces of the event or activity they would like to be part of.

• Be flexible during the event or activity so that you can meet the needs of the person as it may change. (they may get tired faster than you expected, or may lose interest even if they agreed to take part)

• Have a backup plan (especially if you are taking the person on a trip away from their normal environment) Alternate between different family members or friends at an event to keep your person engaged.

Watch the following video exploring unique seasonal ideas you may want to try!

Consider this aromatic cider of fruits and spices to usher in the cooler weather. Wassail is a hot, mulled cider traditionally enjoyed by the English at Christmas as a ritual to ensure a good apple harvest the following year.

WASSAIL! 

Easy Wassail Recipe

• 2 apples

• 8 cups apple cider

• 2 cups orange juice

• 1/3 cup lemon juice

• 4 cinnamon sticks

• 15 whole whole cloves ,or ½ tsp ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar , optional

Instructions

• Poke the whole cloves into the apples on all sides. 

• Add all of the ingredients, including the apples, to a large pot over medium low heat. 

• Bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30-45 minutes. 

• Remove the apples and whole cloves. Ladle into mugs and enjoy!

Notes

Storage Instructions: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also make this in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to heat and enjoy.

Reheating Instructions: The microwave, stove, or slow cooker can be used to reheat this hot wassail. Just heat until it’s your desired temperature.

_{(Credit: “Tastes better from scratch”)}

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