Merry Christmas!!!

I think I am looking forward to Christmas. I was dreading Thanksgiving. Everyone had plans but me. And when one person would ask me what I was doing I would kind of lie and tell them I had plans with another person. That way they could do there thing and not worry about me. Of course I was expecting leftovers and that is all I wanted but that did not turn out so good. Since I got a case of the flu or something. But all better now. I think I am looking forward to Christmas because I am pleased with what I got for my son and content with not buying for everyone this year. Since mom's eye surgery in Sept. we have bills coming in left and right. So I decided no presents for big kids just the little ones. In fact the only presents under my tree are my son's and his girlfreind's. Usually it is a mix of mine and mom's nephews,nieces, brothers,sister with there wives and husbands and grandkids and great- grandkids. Well not this yr. I actully mailed presents to the little ones I wanted to get for and sent cards to the bigger ones telling them money is short so no presents. LOL! Well maybe not like that but they get it.
I found some tips online for surviving the Holidays. I have not really read them yet just copied and pasted. So here goes . I am reading them now. Have a Very Merry Christmas and remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

1. Try to maintain routine as much as you can. Don't allow holiday preparations to become disruptive or confusing. If the Alzheimer's patient normally naps after lunch, allow time in the schedule for that important activity.

2
Include the person with Alzheimer's in the activity to the extent she is able to participate. Simple activities such as folding the napkins, peeling the potatoes or setting the table will help the person feel that she is participating.

3
Because reminiscing can often be therapeutic for the person with Alzheimer's, invite family and friends to tell stories of times they have shared with that person. Include children in the telling of family stories.

4
Don't ask "Do you remember?" Testing the memory of a person with Alzheimer's Disease can be demoralizing to that person. Instead, introduce people by name and repeat the name frequently. Say something like "Your granddaughter Susie wants to tell you about the time you took her to the movies for the first time."

5
The sights, sounds, and tastes of the holidays may stimulate your loved one's senses. Sharing the singing of holiday songs is often an extremely enjoyable activity. The sight of a tree may stimulate fond memories of holidays past.

6
Try not to have too much going on at any one time, as it may confuse the person with Alzheimer's. If the number of people or the noise level causes distress, redirect the Alzheimer's patient by sitting quietly with him in another room or taking him for a walk. You might also consider sending the children to another area for a time.

7
Consider the time of day. Some Alzheimer's patients experience "sun downing" or evening confusion and may derive more pleasure from a lunchtime celebration.
.Alzheimer Care Facilitieswww.nursinghomes

Read more: How to Enjoy the Holidays with an Alzheimer's Patient | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2116319_enjoy-holidays-alzheimers-patient.html#ixzz17L8sFQDW