Extension Family Files

 by Beverly Peters, Franklin County Extension Education Director

 

Family Gatherings and The Elderly

Spring and summer months bring families together for graduations, weddings, and reunions.  For elders struggling with confusion and memory loss, too much stimulation from too many people over too long often creates anxiety and frustration.

 

Instead of taking offense by an elder’s anxious, combative, or “stand-offish” behavior, create an environment that encourages comfortable but possibly limited involvement of confused or memory impaired loved ones.  The following guidelines may help.

·         Arrange for an impaired family member to spend more one to one time rather than group time.  The time can be traded off between several family members so everyone gets to enjoy part of the group festivities.

·         Allow quiet time away from the crowd for your loved one to rest or collect thoughts.

·         Plan a group activity that is not competitive or in any way threatening to your family member such as a musical activity, a walk, or a short comic video.

·         Organize one to one activities such as cutting up fruits or vegetables for the meal, assisting with dishes, sweeping the patio, or just sitting and enjoying friendship and conversation.

·         Prepare both children and adults for the gathering.  Give reminders to children to be respectful, speak clearly and slowly, and limit extremely rambunctious activity in the presence of their impaired family member.

·         Vary activities often enough that boredom does not set in.  The person with memory impairment and confusion is likely to have a short attention span.

picture courtesy of Flickr.com