Three Tips for Helping Your Loved One With Dementia Enjoy the 4th of July

July 4 is a very special day for America, and everyone should be able to take part in the festivities.  Your loved one may not be able to partake in family traditions anymore, but there’s still plenty of ways to help make him/her comfortable during the bustling holiday. Here are three tips to help make Independence Day less stressful for you and your loved one.

Make the Environment Positive and Festive

Get into the holiday spirit by playing up the festive touches! Help your loved one pick out appropriate pieces of clothing that could show off their patriotism.

Decorate the house with red, white, and blue, and play some John Phillip Sousa marches and other classic American songs in the background.  You could sing “God Bless America” or “The Star-Spangled Banner” together. If your loved one was in the military, you could also look up songs from his/her branch of service.

Be Mindful of Large Crowds

Independence Day is notorious for its large crowds all through the day. There are parades and firework shows happening around the clock. Some of these events might have been family traditions in the past, but not possible now. The constant moving and noise might provoke agitation and stress in a dementia patient. If you are going to an event such as a family picnic or a parade, make sure that a family member stays at your loved one’s side always. Seeing a familiar face will help him/her feel protected and relaxed.

Fireworks

While a beautiful spectacle to gaze at, fireworks can prove to be bothersome to dementia patients. Because they start later at night, your loved one might be too tired and restless to go out. If that’s the case, perhaps you could plan your own fireworks show at home with some sparklers. If the smoke and noise is vexing, then a televised version would work as well.