Honoring Mother’s Day When Mom Has Alzheimer’s

Celebrating Mother’s Day, like other holidays, can be bittersweet and challenging when mom is living with Alzheimer’s. But, Mother’s Day can remain a meaningful and enjoyable occasion for families facing Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers support and resources to help families navigate changes in their relationship. The Alzheimer’s Association offers families the following tips for celebrating Mother’s Day when mom is living with Alzheimer’s disease:

• Take a person-centered approach. Focus on what is enjoyable for the person with Alzheimer’s, such as looking at family pictures or enjoying the person’s favorite food. If they get overwhelmed in large groups, a small quiet gathering may be preferable.
• Keep it simple. Consider a celebration over a lunch or brunch at home or where the person is most comfortable. Ask family or friends to bring dishes for a potluck meal or have food delivered by a local restaurant or grocery store.
• Connect with mom virtually. Schedule a FaceTime, Skype or Zoom call with mom and invite other family members to participate. Prepare ahead of time to ensure the platform you use is one your mom can access easily. Consider taking the call to the next level by adding a slideshow with favorite pictures of mom and cherished family photos.
• Join in. If the person with Alzheimer’s lives in a care facility, consider joining in on any facility-planned activities.
• Don’t overdo it. Sticking to the person's normal routine will help keep the day from becoming disruptive or confusing. Depending on the person’s stamina, plan time for breaks so the person can rest in a quiet area away from noise and crowds.
• Adapt gift giving. Encourage safe and useful gifts for the person with Alzheimer’s. If someone asks for gift ideas, suggest items the person with dementia needs or can easily enjoy. Ideas include: an identification bracelet, CD’s of favorite music, comfortable clothing, favorite foods and photo albums of family and friends.
• Find support. Learn more about Alzheimer’s in the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center at alz.org/care. There you can also find more tips on supporting a family member with Alzheimer’s, join the ALZConnected online community, and find more information about your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter services and programs.

Women are at the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s crisis. Nearly two-thirds of the more than 6 million Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. Not only are women more likely to have Alzheimer’s, they are also more likely to be caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s.

For more information and support, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at alz.org or call the free 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.