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The Manual Touch Physical Therapy

Whole Body Approach

Reclaim movement, function and life
For information, call: 847-541-7600
or email: info@themanualtouch.com
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How the Holidays Impact Family Members with Dementia or Alzheimer’s

December 4, 2018 By Denise Schwartz Leave a Comment

Alzheimers and Dementia

Guest Post by Aging Life Care Expert, Debra Feldman

The holidays are a challenging time for everyone. Families gather from across the country, and there is a great deal of hustle and bustle. Days are hectic and full. Imagine how overwhelming the holiday celebrations might be for those family members with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Challenges for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease who will be visiting at someone else’s home

  • They tire more quickly and may not be able to stay for the entire party
  • They become overwhelmed by all of the people at large celebrations
  • They have a difficult time with excessive noise
  • They might not recognize everyone

It’s all in the Preparation

  • Select the holiday activities and traditions that are most important; you don’t have to have the same celebration you had long ago
  • Schedule the party at the time of day that is optimal for the person with Alzheimer’s disease; the dinner hour and beyond will likely not be a good time
  • Consider hosting a small gathering when the person with dementia is included.
  • Tone down your decorations – blinking lights and large decorative displays can cause disorientation. Avoid candles and decorations that look like edible treats.
  • Avoid too loud or noisy environments – calm and quiet gatherings are better enjoyed by the person with dementia.
  • Keep it simple

Ensure that your guests know what to expect of the person with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease

  • Prior to the gathering, update and share with the guests the current cognitive abilities and behaviors they might display
  • Help guests to interact – what things to say, how to present ideas/topics, how to respond to the behaviors
  • Prepare your guests that they may not be recognized. They could try to share some past memories, but remember that this still may not trigger a connection. They can have conversations about the current goings on and should simply forget about trying to get the family member to recognize/remember who they are.
  • Make the experience enjoyable
  • Designate one person who is most familiar to the person with dementia to stay close by to assist with dining, the bathroom and being available to take the person home when they begin to tire.
  • Involve the person in simple holiday preparations or encourage him/her to observe the preparations. Have them assist with decorations and baking.
  • Build on past traditions and memories – singing old holiday songs, watching favorite holiday movies, or looking through old photo albums.

When your family member resides in a care facility. (Assisted Living, memory care facility, nursing home)

  • Schedule visits at your loved one’s best time of day.
  • Limit the number of people visiting at one time. Too many people are overwhelming for your loved one. Spread out the family visits over a few days.
  • Keep in mind, the person with dementia does not know what day it is, so you can celebrate on any day that is most relaxing and convenient for you.
  • Celebrate in the most familiar setting – for persons with Alzheimer’s disease, a change of environment can be very upsetting. If the person lives in a facility, reserve the special dining room if a meal is planned. Schedule the celebration in a private area of the community. You could also participate in the holiday activities that are planned by the community.

To learn more about how an Aging Life Care Expert can help you, visit www.ddfcaremanagement.com or join us for a free presentation in our office on Dec. 8th. Click here for more information.

Filed Under: Aging Tagged With: aging life care, aging parents, Alzheimer's, Dementia

About Denise Schwartz

Denise Schwartz, PT, IMT, C is the owner of The Manual Touch Physical Therapy. For over 30 years, she has been helping patients reduce pain and improve quality of life using a whole body approach. Denise specializes in chronic pain, spinal conditions, running/triathlon injuries and prevention, balance/vestibular disorders, functional exercise, kinesiotaping, and various non-traditional and traditional & manual therapies. Contact Denise at denise@themanualtouch.com

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I have been receiving PT therapy for pain and autoimmune disorders for over 18 months at The Manual Touch.  This also affects my kidneys and my lungs and other organs as I swell with fluid that my lymph system doesn’t seem to handle well.  I depend on the regular IMT tissue therapy I receive from Denise to help me function as normally as possible.  This therapy seems to work synergistically with the acupuncture and medication I also receive.  There are no cures for these disorders and as n… Read more
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I’m very excited because I’m getting stronger, more stable when I’m walking, and more flexible.  Yesterday, for the first time in several years, I was able to travel by train downtown and visit the Art Institute.  There was lots of walking and sitting, activities which previously caused me to be in pain for several days afterwards.  But today, I’m just a little sore.  I feel I’ve made very good progress in feeling better, stronger and feel less pain.
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Denise, owner of The Manual Touch, has been amazing for me and my family. I first began seeing Denise when I herniated my back and did not want surgery. Personal attention, caring and patient are only a few words to describe Denise. She uses a mix of traditional PT with a complete understanding of how your body works to get you back on your feet. She is amazing.”  
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Denise is a great physical therapist. She helped to heal a back injury that had been bothering me for years. The exercises were simple and effective. It was also great to have an app and videos for reference. I definitely recommend Manual Touch.”  
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I felt much better after initial visit and even more so after the second.  I would not have believed I could see such an improvement in how I felt after only two sessions.
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The best physical therapist I’ve ever experienced is Denise Schwartz in Wheeling at the Manual Touch. I have seen Denise twice for over 6 months to treat 2 bouts of frozen shoulder that occurred 8 years apart. In addition to my shoulder, she has also helped with my back, exercise regimen, and overall health. She is a holistic practitioner expert in PT techniques and knows how to teach her clients how to fit her techniques easily into their lives. She relates with her clients about as well as any… Read more
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Many thanks to Denise for PT and gait analysis that has enabled me to successfully run, and run faster than ever before! And gratitude for Denise’s Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) which has cleared up my chronic, constant stabbing headache.  Thanks to Denise, I am now medicine-free and headache-free!
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Denise is an excellent physical therapist. I was referred to her by another therapist, and I’ll be sticking with Denise Schwartz, now. I didn’t know if it would go well, or not but I actually look forward to this physical therapy process with her, after only two sessions. This is the best my elbow has felt in a year. Denise ‘gets it,’ if you will. You tell her your situation, she truly understands the problem, gets to work, and starts fixing the problem. She has, in fact, exercised herself…so… Read more
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Judy has been living with Rheumatoid arthritis for the past 30+ years and typically uses a wheelchair around her house and a cane or walker outside. “I seem to be in less pain, can stand longer.  I also am walking somewhat straighter and further.”
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There is no worse than a nagging injury that keeps you off from pursuing the athletic endeavors. Being an avid road cyclist, gravel rider, cyclocross racer and a marathon runner turned into a recent Triathlete, I train all year round and race all year round. In 2016, May in Terre Haute Sprint triathlon run, I tore some fascia connecting my lowest abdominal and my leg right in the groin area. The condition was diagnosed as Sports Hernia. Denise started me off with couple of sessions in a week.… Read more
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Our Mission


We believe all body systems and mental/emotional health are connected. We take a whole body approach to discover why patients are not healing and what were the initial causes of their current symptoms. 

Our mission is to use this whole body approach to help patients heal and overcome pain and limitations, resulting in improved quality of life. We also aim to promote wellness in our communities through ongoing education. 
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Testimonials

I have been receiving PT therapy for pain and autoimmune disorders for over 18 months at The Manual Touch.  This also affects my kidneys and my lungs and other organs as I swell with fluid that my lymph system doesn’t seem to handle well.  I depe… Read more
I’m very excited because I’m getting stronger, more stable when I’m walking, and more flexible.  Yesterday, for the first time in several years, I was able to travel by train downtown and visit the Art Institute.  There was lots of walking an… Read more
Denise, owner of The Manual Touch, has been amazing for me and my family. I first began seeing Denise when I herniated my back and did not want surgery. Personal attention, caring and patient are only a few words to describe Denise. She uses a mix of… Read more
Denise is a great physical therapist. She helped to heal a back injury that had been bothering me for years. The exercises were simple and effective. It was also great to have an app and videos for reference. I definitely recommend Manual Touch.”  … Read more
I felt much better after initial visit and even more so after the second.  I would not have believed I could see such an improvement in how I felt after only two sessions.
The best physical therapist I’ve ever experienced is Denise Schwartz in Wheeling at the Manual Touch. I have seen Denise twice for over 6 months to treat 2 bouts of frozen shoulder that occurred 8 years apart. In addition to my shoulder, she has also… Read more
http://themanualtouch.com/wp/testimonial/b-h-elmhurst-il
Many thanks to Denise for PT and gait analysis that has enabled me to successfully run, and run faster than ever before! And gratitude for Denise’s Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) which has cleared up my chronic, constant stabbing headache.  T… Read more
Denise is an excellent physical therapist. I was referred to her by another therapist, and I’ll be sticking with Denise Schwartz, now. I didn’t know if it would go well, or not but I actually look forward to this physical therapy process with her, af… Read more
Judy has been living with Rheumatoid arthritis for the past 30+ years and typically uses a wheelchair around her house and a cane or walker outside. “I seem to be in less pain, can stand longer.  I also am walking somewhat straighter and furthe… Read more
There is no worse than a nagging injury that keeps you off from pursuing the athletic endeavors. Being an avid road cyclist, gravel rider, cyclocross racer and a marathon runner turned into a recent Triathlete, I train all year round and race all yea… Read more
Read More

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