Supporting Disabilities in December

Seeing family over the festive period can be daunting for a person with a disability, especially if it means visiting someone else’s home, or a loved one coming to see them. For a family member with dementia, autism, or another condition that makes it challenging to experience a change to their routine or environment, Christmas can be a time of anxiety. This is why it’s vital to understand how to support a family with disabilities throughout December. Behaviour changes While Christmas creates happy memories for many people, some children and adults with disabilities see it as a time of intense stress. These negative feelings are often communicated with significant behaviour changes, but the underlying message might simply be, “I’m overwhelmed.” The disquiet can be caused by a variety of factors such as a change in their schedule, crowding a lot of people into the living room, creating a complete sensory overload, or something as simple as putting a Christmas tree in the lounge. Various steps can be taken to prepare for meeting one another over the festive period to make it a less challenging experience. It’s extremely important to plan ahead, because with understanding, every situation can be adapted – so everyone can enjoy themselves, including people who require physical and emotional assistance. While these ideas won’t work for everyone, it’s useful to try a few solutions to create a positive celebration for each family member. Parkinson’s For someone with Parkinson’s, Christmas can be magical with a little special effort from loved ones. Practical things, such as making sure you have enough medication to last over the holiday period, are crucial, of course. Make sure your family and friends are aware of the challenges faced by a person with Parkinson’s. When you’re dining at someone else’s house, let them know you will be taking some items with you, such as your own specialist cutlery, for example. You can visit your host’s home beforehand to check whether there is suitable access, or look for any obstacles you should be aware of. Ask questions, such as the schedule and activities planned for the day, so you too can plan ahead. Loved ones will understand and nobody will be offended. The excitement of Christmas and eating too many rich foods can worsen the sleeping disorders a person with Parkinson’s may struggle with. Try not to change the usual sleeping routine and stick to a schedule; going to bed at the usual time and having seven to eight hours’ sleep if possible will minimise disruption. Dementia and Alzheimer’s For people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, a different type of planning for Christmas is needed. Experts suggest using photographs of the people who will be there and popping them in an album, to jog the memory of the person with dementia. Find some pictures of a previous year’s Christmas celebration and have a chat with your family member, pointing out who everyone is and reminding them of the occasion of the gathering. You can also use text to tell the story of the event, so the individual can look at the photos and read what it’s all about before attending a similar event this year. Autism When you have a family member impacted by autism, all members of the family can enjoy Christmas with some simple planning. The many changes of the festive period, including more social interaction and meeting and communicating with a wider circle of family and friends, can make it a challenging time. Changes to the usual routine can be upsetting. If you’re having loved ones round over Christmas, write up a schedule of events, whether it’s in text alone, or with pictures. Let the family member with autism have a written copy and let them know what will be happening. It can be beneficial when they can cross off the individual scheduled items once they’re completed to keep some order to the day. One challenge is sensory overload, with the Christmas tree, bright lights, Christmas music, the noise of family gatherings and the constant parade of rich foods and drinks replacing a usual routine or mealtime. Leave a quiet space in your home, so an autistic family member can escape for a while if they start feeling overwhelmed. Make it a Christmas-free room, so they can take a break if the festivities get too much. Down Syndrome Many people with Down Syndrome say preparing for Christmas can be a difficult transition, resulting in resistant behaviours. The bright lights, loud noise, routine changes and more people calling round can add to the challenges they face. Some parents say going to a Christmas party outside the home can be an anxious time for their child, so they host an appropriate gathering themselves instead. Arrange for the guests to arrive at staggered times, so there isn’t one sudden influx of people altogether. It can help to talk about the party and what will be happening – give them a “job” to do, such as the official photographer, the beverage server, the greeter, the Christmas card distributor, or even the back massager. A helping role can utilise the individual’s talents and give them clear guidance on how to behave in this new and strange environment. Sleeping well Always make sure any family member with a disability can escape to bed if they wish, even if your guests are still in your home. Having a good night’s sleep, in a safe environment, is particularly important at Christmas, when everyone’s mind will be overactive as a result of the general excitement. If they wish to go to the quiet of their room, make sure no one is playing music that’s too loud downstairs. Sleeping well can make all the difference between having a great day, or feeling tired and anti-social, with the potential of negative behavioural changes. Keep their room private, safe and Christmas-free so they can still feel relaxed in their own zone, even if guests are still enjoying your gathering in the lounge. If you’re going to stay with friends or family over Christmas, ask questions in advance about the sleeping arrangements for someone with disabilities. It may be beneficial to invest in a special needs travel bed, as it opens up your options. Christmas can still be a magical time for everyone, but for families with disabilities, it just needs more careful planning ahead of the occasion. Put some thought into coping strategies for the whole family, rather than just the individual. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so enjoy your Christmas celebrations, everyone!

For more information on Supporting Disabilities in December talk to Kinderkey Healthcare Ltd