Tips to Celebrating Mom on Her Day, Even When Dementia Intervenes
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Yueke
Mon, May 13, 2024
PHOTO: Yueke
SATURDAY, May 11, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Women account for two-thirds of all Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, disease, which means this Mother‘s Day will be bittersweet for many families across the nation.
“Mother’s Day is all about honoring the mother figures in our lives who loved,, nurtured, and supported us, Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social services for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, said in a news release.
To that end, the AFA is offering a few tips to help families and loved ones honor the special women in their lives.
“If a special woman in your life lives with dementia, taking a few small steps will go a long way to help her feel the love and appreciation she deserves on Mother’s Day,” Reeder said. “Making a few minor adaptations can help celebrate the bond you share with your loved one in a dementia-friendly manner.”
The AFA’s tips include:
Make a personal Motherâs Day card. Write out a card and read it aloud to your loved one. Even if they can no longer grasp its full meaning, the act of writing and sharing it can be an uplifting experience.
Create new memories. Plan some quality time together, making sure to focus on what the person is capable of doing now and what they choose to do. Choose pleasurable activities, and be sure to avoid things that might cause her stress.
Reminisce together. Familiar faces and old photos can bring joy and comfort to someone with dementia, even if she canât remember names or specifics. Itâs a good way to connect and evoke positive memories, but be patient and attentive. Look at old photos and describe them for your loved one, and listen to the stories and memories that the pics might evoke from them. Validate their feelings and experiences, even if they arenât what you remember, because this can reinforce the feeling of being heard and understood.
Adapt favorite activities. Treat your loved one to something they enjoy, even if things have to be changed a bit. If they loved going to a certain restaurant, order takeout and have a feast at home. If they love cooking, focus on simple tasks like mixing ingredients rather than following an elaborate recipe. Be flexible, patient and creative, and simplify complex activities into manageable steps you both can enjoy.
Give her flowers. Flowers are a traditional Motherâs Day gift, and they can be very beneficial for a woman with dementia. Fresh flowers tend to have a calming effect that reduces agitation and stress, and their scent can boost her mood and stimulate her mind. Set the bouquet on a table and enjoy them together.
More information
Pennsylvania State University has more on meaningfully engaging with dementia patients.
“Mother’s Day is all about honoring the mother figures in our lives who loved,, nurtured, and supported us, Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social services for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, said in a news release.
To that end, the AFA is offering a few tips to help families and loved ones honor the special women in their lives.
“If a special woman in your life lives with dementia, taking a few small steps will go a long way to help her feel the love and appreciation she deserves on Mother’s Day,” Reeder said. “Making a few minor adaptations can help celebrate the bond you share with your loved one in a dementia-friendly manner.”
The AFA’s tips include:
Make a personal Motherâs Day card. Write out a card and read it aloud to your loved one. Even if they can no longer grasp its full meaning, the act of writing and sharing it can be an uplifting experience.
Create new memories. Plan some quality time together, making sure to focus on what the person is capable of doing now and what they choose to do. Choose pleasurable activities, and be sure to avoid things that might cause her stress.
Reminisce together. Familiar faces and old photos can bring joy and comfort to someone with dementia, even if she canât remember names or specifics. Itâs a good way to connect and evoke positive memories, but be patient and attentive. Look at old photos and describe them for your loved one, and listen to the stories and memories that the pics might evoke from them. Validate their feelings and experiences, even if they arenât what you remember, because this can reinforce the feeling of being heard and understood.
Adapt favorite activities. Treat your loved one to something they enjoy, even if things have to be changed a bit. If they loved going to a certain restaurant, order takeout and have a feast at home. If they love cooking, focus on simple tasks like mixing ingredients rather than following an elaborate recipe. Be flexible, patient and creative, and simplify complex activities into manageable steps you both can enjoy.
Give her flowers. Flowers are a traditional Motherâs Day gift, and they can be very beneficial for a woman with dementia. Fresh flowers tend to have a calming effect that reduces agitation and stress, and their scent can boost her mood and stimulate her mind. Set the bouquet on a table and enjoy them together.
More information
Pennsylvania State University has more on meaningfully engaging with dementia patients.
When discussing weight loss, diet and exercise are typically the focus. However, a recent survey by Everyday Health indicates that mental health should also be a significant part of this conversation.
The survey revealed that 40 percent of participants identified improving mental health as a primary motivation for losing weight. Interestingly, the link between mental well-being and weight management emerged consistently throughout the survey findings.
For instance, stress emerged as a major barrier to weight loss, with only 12 percent of respondents admitting to never eating when feeling stressed, nervous, or anxious. Furthermore, individuals who struggled with weight loss were more likely to report mental health issues and feelings of guilt or shame related to eating compared to those who succeeded in losing weight.
Conducted among over 3,000 American adults who attempted weight loss in the last six months, the survey delved into various aspects, including attitudes toward new medications, preferred weight loss methods, and common obstacles encountered. Participants also provided insights into their emotional and mental states concerning their weight.
These findings underscore a well-established understanding among researchers: the close interplay between mental well-being and weight.
"Allison Young, MD, a psychiatrist based in New York City and a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and Everyday Health’s Health Expert Network, explains, "Research indicates a bidirectional relationship between mental well-being and weight. While we haven't fully grasped this relationship, it appears that both biological and psychological factors play a role."
For example, a study spanning 12 months revealed that individuals whose mental health improved during the period experienced more significant weight loss compared to those whose mental health remained stagnant or worsened. Additionally, research suggests that weight loss often leads to improved psychological health.
Studies indicate a higher prevalence of obesity among individuals with psychiatric disorders, suggesting a complex interconnection between metabolic conditions like obesity and mental health disorders such as depression, potentially at a cellular level.
Christopher Palmer, MD, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, points out, "It’s not coincidental that the rise in obesity and diabetes rates parallels the surge in mental disorders. They are interconnected as they both involve mitochondrial dysfunction."
Here are the key insights from the survey, accompanied by expert perspectives to aid in applying these learnings to personal life:
