Holiday decorations

Merla · March 30

I see a lot of families decorating their loved ones door or room with holiday decorations. Do people with mild to moderate dementia generally appreciate this similar to how basically any child is going to enjoy decorations for any occasions. Or are decorations appreciated or not appreciated more on an individual basis?

lisn2cats · March 30

I decorate my mom's door with seasonal wreaths and put something pretty on the little shelf/ledge that is outside her room. She loves it - but my mom has always enjoyed having something floral and pretty. It's also a visual aid for her. In general, she remembers which hall her room is in, but sometimes she needs the wreath to remind her which is her apartment. (Also, because we're asian, I put add something to the wreath in our language to doubly make sure she aims for the right door.) When I put up holiday greenery with some festive silver balls, she said it made her feel cheery.

I do think it all depends on the person - there's another woman down the hall from her who apparently dislikes all decor and color (I had caught a bit of her heated conversation with her family).

April23 · March 30

I decorate my dad’s room for Christmas. He has always loved Christmas and still participates. He doesn’t really comment on it but I like to think it makes him happy to see his little tree lit up when he goes to his room at night.

H1235 · March 30

My mom has always loved decorating for the holidays. At Christmas I brought in a few decorations and a wreath for the door. Unfortunately it seems I can never do anything right. She usually complains that I didn’t bring the decorations she wanted, where are the rest( like I can bring 6 totes in for her to pick out what she wants) or wants to know were I found the decorations at her house and gives a big huff because she doesn’t like me “rooting” through her things. She is usually resentful about the whole thing. At Christmas she didn’t want me to brings the decorations home. There is very little room to store anything in her room. She finally gave in and let me take it home. For Easter I just bought a wreath for her door. She made a snarky comment that her friend in the next room has a wonderful daughter that decorates her room so nice (it looks like an Easter bunny threw up in there). Grr if I knew she would let me bring things home when the holiday is over I would happily do the same. Mom has always been very crafty and has made a few of the wreaths. I think she likes to show them off. She is so grumpy about it I’m not sure how to handle it. I think it’s one of those things were I just can’t win. My mil loved it when I brought in holiday decorations and always thanked me. She never questioned where the decorations came from and I doubt she even recognized them as hers. That’s the long way of saying I think it depends on your loved one.

Merla · March 31

Thanks for the input. I think that my parent would likely appreciate it but would say she wouldn't want it if I asked so I'll just go ahead and do it.

SusanB-dil · March 31

agreeing with the others. Mother used to appreciate the holiday decor, so a simple wreath on her door makes her day. She no longer really knows 'holiday', but she likes the 'pretty'.

@H1235 - that is a bit amusing that "it looks like an Easter bunny threw up in there". yikes! It also seems to me that it would be overstimulating for a PWD.

lisn2cats · March 31

@H1235 the Easter bunny comment gave me a chuckle! I guess to each their own.

I stopped bringing lots of stuff (in mom's case, clothing and towels)- with the idea that mom would choose what she wants….she wants ALL of it even it meant stuff was spilling out of the closet, drawers and the storage bench. I finally told her that we were breaking the rules and I had to take at least half of the stuff out for safety and fire reasons. I packed stuff up while she was in the dining hall…she thought stuff got stolen for a while. It gave me angst, but I did use her memory loss to my advantage (don't you remember? you told me you don't need all your winter coats because you don't go outside….and ohhh, I'll check with the staff - they probably took stuff to the laundry).

So, now she gets a seasonal wreath for her door and monthly flower delivery (makes her feel special). If I can find seasonal candy she likes, I give her those too (but then she saves every freakin' wrapper and box so that becomes a tug-of-war).

Holiday decorations

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