Enjoying Thanksgiving with Alzheimer’s Patients

Thanksgiving evolved into different types of celebrations as Mother developed Alzheimer’s.  No matter how we celebrated, I was thankful we could be with her and bring her joy.

*At first, Jim and I traveled the 275 miles to her home to enjoy a day or two with her.  Occasionally other family members joined us.  Friends and family might stop by after dinner.

*We moved Mother to our home in January.  She wasn’t here until the following Thanksgiving because she needed the additional care she could receive at a nursing home.

*There we would join her for a special Thanksgiving dinner at the dining room in the home.  The first year, Mother thanked us for taking her out to eat at the lovely restaurant.  The dining hall was decorated, the food was festive, the staff so friendly, and the occasion pleasant. 

*We tried to join her every year she lived there (eight in all) and have dinner with her.  Sometimes our grandchildren joined us and enjoyed eating out with Great Grandma.    Even though Mother became less aware of what was going on, she still seemed to find the occasion pleasant. 

*We didn’t try to take Mother to our home feeling it would be too confusing for her.  She seemed to need the routine of the nursing home.

You’ll all celebrate Thanksgiving in different ways, depending on logistics, family festivities, the ability of your Alzheimer’s family member.  Enjoy the day (or whenever you celebrate) wherever you and your family member are.  When you can’t carry out the old traditions, establish new ones. 

I have enjoyable memories of those holidays with Mother even though they were different from what we might have expected.  I had to learn to enjoy “this moment in time.”