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It seems we are no sooner done with Halloween than the ending of the year begins to rocket toward us.

Next up is Thanksgiving.   Thanksgiving falls during National Caregiver Month, when we honor the nearly 15 million Americans who provide 17 billion hours of unpaid care to individuals living with this devastating disease.

Keeping COVID in mind, here are a few tips to help Alzheimer’s caregivers through Thanksgiving.

First, persons living with dementia may need reminders regarding:

• Hand-washing and moisturizing. Caregivers should consider implementing a supervised hand-washing schedule.
• Covering nose and mouth during a sneeze or cough.
• Refraining from placing things in the mouth.
• Staying in a particular area.
• Taking medications appropriately.
• Adopting social distancing practices and refraining from sharing items.
• Following any other procedures that would require memory and judgment.

Here are some tips and ideas for safely engaging with family and friends during the holidays.

https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources/holidays

And just a reminder – you can always get the latest information about the Association’s COVID-19 emergency preparedness guidelines for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers in long-term or community-based care settings here:

https://alz.org/professionals/professional-providers/coronavirus-covid-19-tips-for-dementia-caregivers

 The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

Scott Finley is Media Relations Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association® in Texas.  He can be reached at scfinley@alz.org