Did you know that 80% of older adults acknowledge the benefits of early testing for dementia? This is according to the findings of a University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging of individuals aged 65 to 80.  

And yet many individuals continue to ignore early warning signs of dementia. Often this is due to a fear of receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. And yet, when caught early, there are many benefits to be had, benefits that become more elusive as the disease progresses.

The Alzheimer’s Association has identified five good reasons why it’s so important to get tested early. They are as follows:

1. Gain understanding of symptoms. Receiving an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s provides answers to puzzling questions as to why an individual is experiencing memory loss and other confusing symptoms. It will also give them time to gather with family and friends and optimize the time they have together.
2. Access to treatment options. While we have yet to find a cure for dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease, today’s medications may lessen the impact of the disease on memory. They work by attacking beta-amyloid, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Tam Cummings, gerontologist, author, and dementia expert, urges individuals to get tested early. The earlier an individual seeks treatment; the more effective medications are in that they can slow the progression of the disease.
3. Opportunity to participate in clinical trials. An early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s makes an individual more eligible for a wider range of trials. Not only may the individual benefit, but their participation will also help to pave the way for better treatments and possibly a cure downstream.
4. Time to optimize your health. An early diagnosis gives an individual the opportunity to restructure their health regimen to include brain-healthy habits, such as stopping smoking, getting more exercise, and staying mentally and socially active. Better habits may help preserve cognitive function longer.
5. More time to plan. An early diagnosis gives an individual time to deal with legal, financial and end of life issues before the disease enters later stages. It also gives family members time to adjust and plan as well. This can help lessen the burden on family and avoid conflict downstream.

It’s actually easier than you may think to get tested. And the good news is that testing is covered by Medicare. It supports cognitive assessment services to individuals who are showing signs of cognitive impairment, along with a shorter test for those who aren’t yet experiencing any cognitive challenges.

Why wait? If you or a loved one is over age 65, even if there is no evidence of memory loss, it is prudent to be tested. Knowledge is power after all. And early diagnosis will open doors to clinical trials, treatments, and planning at a time when you have more control over your life. Early testing is a gift to you and to the family you love.

Residents of Liberty Place Memory Care in West Chester, Ohio have decorated over 100 coffee cup sleeves each with a special Valentine message. The residents will be at Biggby Coffee on February 13th to personally hand them out to customers. What a great pre-Valentine's Day gift for coffee lovers!

An article in Senior Living News has the details: https://www.seniorlivingnews.com/anthem-memory-care-residents-to-spread-smiles-to-unsuspecting-coffee-lovers-for-valentines-day/

For family caregivers of loved ones with dementia, the day-to-day interactions and dealing with both physical and behavioral issues is something you have had time to adjust to. While your journey has not been an easy one, you are learning to read verbal and nonverbal cues and, generally by trial and error, knowing what to say and what not to say.

However, visiting friends and family members who are not in regular contact may find interacting with your loved one daunting. If they are not properly prepared, what was once a simple visit can be unsettling and even traumatic for more sensitive individuals. Sadly, the solution for many family caregivers is to drastically limit or completely avoid these visits altogether. Yet that deprives everyone of what could be a meaningful experience, especially for the family member with dementia.

It doesn’t have to be that way! With some planning and preparation, that visit can be less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone.

Here are some tips to prepare your family in advance.

• Educate them about the disease and what happens to the brain. Many people don’t realize that Alzheimer’s is a brain disease, not a behavioral disorder. Dr. Tam Cummings, a gerontologist and expert in dementia, has information and resources to help.
• Explain your loved one’s condition. How has dementia impacted their daily life? What are the physical and mental manifestations? What can family members expect?
• Be open to questions. Be patient as family members strive to wrap their heads around your loved one’s condition. How you approach their questions can make a big difference in their outlook.
• Suggest an activity or outing during the visit. This can help foster more natural interactions that are less communication-intense and more relaxing for everyone.

Once you have laid the groundwork, here are five tips for family and friends:

1. Introduce yourself. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it is important for family and friends to understand that an individual with dementia may not recognize their face. A short greeting with an explanation, “Hi, grandma. It’s Lucy, your granddaughter. How are you?” provides context to the greeting and conversation.
2. Don’t talk down to them. Try to avoid the urge to “dumb down” your sentences as if talking with a child. They are an adult and deserve to be treated that way.
3. Speak slowly. That doesn’t mean loudly. Try to sit close enough to establish eye contact. Speak slowly and clearly. Be sure to give them time to respond.  
4. Resist the temptation to “quiz”. This is a natural reaction, especially for those who haven’t visited in a while. Don’t fall into a “don’t you remember” trap. Instead, focus on the here and how. Talk about the weather or comment on the flowers in the garden or music playing.  
5. Don’t take their reactions personally. It is important to understand that it is the disease that is causing them to forget who you are or exhibit upsetting behavior.

By planning and putting these tips into play, you can help pave the way to a smoother, more enjoyable visit. And, one good visit will encourage more visits and social interactions which are so important to the well-being of your loved one and to your family.

Need more tips? Feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We recognize the importance of family interactions to individuals with dementia. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and provide more insights to help make these visits easier.

You can do this! And we’re here to help.

 Related Articles:

• Making Halloween Fun (and a Bit Less Scary) for a Loved One with Dementia
• Caring for a Parent with Dementia? 5 Things to Do for Yourself Over the Holidays

Residents of Willowbrook Place were on a mission to help other seniors... senior dogs, that is! Residents and staff visited Pepper's Senior Dog Sanctuary bringing homemade blankets and lots of love. Many residents were once dog owners and enjoyed interacting with their canine contemporaries. 

The event was covered by local TV station, Fox 31/Channel 2. You can watch the video here:

https://kdvr.com/video/memory-care-residents-gift-senior-dogs-with-blankets/9364362

Most older Americans want to be tested for dementia. They recognize the benefits of early detection. Furthermore, they look to their physicians to make them aware of these tests and to advise them as to when and how to take them.

The problem is that 80% of older Americans have yet to take a cognition test.

These troubling findings are the result of the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, published in a 2023 report and presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam.

Other studies support these findings as well. One, conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and cited by Senior Housing News reported that only 2.4% of Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease had received their initial assessment through Medicare.

That is because many Americans with Medicare coverage don’t realize that it includes cognitive assessment services to individuals who are showing signs of cognitive impairment. It even covers a shorter test for those who aren’t yet experiencing any cognitive challenges.

Why the disconnect?

As it turns out, it is more complicated than one might think. Here is where much of that disconnect lies:

For healthcare professionals:

• Time constraints. At least 60 minutes are needed to conduct assessments. In a busy doctor’s office, that can be challenging.
• Insufficiently trained personnel.
• Billing limitations that prohibit a collaborative approach to diagnosis.

For Medicare beneficiaries:

• Lack of awareness. Many Medicare recipients are simply unaware of eligibility.
• The fear of the social stigma connected to a diagnosis of dementia.
• Underserved populations. Black and Hispanics are less likely to receive assessments.

It is time to increase awareness, education, and accessibility to testing.

But is this happening? To a degree it is, but more work is needed to make a meaningful difference. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), along with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are engaged in outreach programs targeting providers as well as eligible Medicare recipients.

Our Anthem Memory Care communities are active in the industry working to educate and bring greater awareness Medicare beneficiaries of their eligibility for dementia testing.

Dr. Tam Cummings encourages aging Americans to take advantage of available testing.

Dr. Cummings, dementia expert, gerontologist, and author, is an advocate for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. She urges individuals to be more proactive and assertive with their physicians and take a more active role in managing their cognitive health. Dr. Tam has a series of tools that identify key behaviors that are known to be indicators of dementia.

There are many benefits to getting tested. Here are just a few:

• Early access to treatment options. While we don’t yet have a cure, there are new medications coming into the market that can reduce the rate of cognitive decline.
• Better prepared emotionally. Knowing what to expect early on gives an individual time to gain greater understanding of the disease and how it will impact them and their families.
• More time to plan. This includes planning for specialized memory care, as well as financial support.

At Anthem Memory Care, we urge families with aging loved ones to encourage them to be tested. The earlier an individual with Alzheimer’s is diagnosed the more time they will have to plan for the future and develop a strategy to help them live their best lives going forward.

Person-centered care is a concept we are hearing about more often these days. And as far as we’re concerned, that is as it should be. It has been the focus of our Anthem Memory Care communities since we opened our doors and continues to impact everything we do, from day-to-day care, to dining, to the many activities and programs our people provide for our residents.

An integral part of person-centered care is recognizing the need for residents to spend their time in purposeful activities. After all, regardless of who we are and what we do, we all want to have a sense of purpose in our daily lives. That sense of purpose can make a big difference to people living with dementia.

Pathways of Purpose is about more than just living, it’s about living well, despite dementia.

The traditional care model in this industry has always been more task oriented than engagement oriented. However, when staff members look at each interaction with residents as a series of tasks it hinders meaningful connections with them. It also stifles the natural desire to find meaning in everything they do. This isn’t healthy for the resident or for the caregiver.

The recognition of the importance of purpose in every life is the driving force behind our Pathways of Purpose, a person-centered approach to life engagement that is tailored to the ability of each resident to live his or her best life. The program supports resident wellbeing by affirming identity, fostering meaningful connections with others, supporting autonomy, and providing opportunities to keep growing. The goal is to go beyond simply caring for individuals with dementia, it is about living well, despite having dementia.

Every activity is an opportunity to find purpose. That’s where our life engagement team excels.

Central to Pathways of Purpose is our life engagement team. They are creative, dedicated individuals whose unique talents and creativity bring purpose to every activity and project they design. Whether it takes the form of a visit with local students, a fund-raiser, or putting their skills to work to build and create things to give to those in need. These activities are fundamental to leading a purposeful life. We depend on our life engagement team to bring them to life. And they never disappoint.

The impact of this new approach has led to marked improvements in emotional wellbeing.

Since Pathways of Purpose has been implemented, we have noticed behavioral changes in both residents and staff. Residents are less inclined to become agitated and there have been fewer instances of wandering. Staff members report that their jobs seem easier and more enjoyable when they approach each interaction differently.

Michael Zywicki, Anthem’s VP of Programs and Engagement recently was interviewed by McKnight’s Senior Living about person-centered care and the Pathways of Purpose ideology. He explained that “living the program as a culture” is key to making staff members feel connected to residents and to each other. Getting to know residents in smaller settings has increased the sense of intimacy and has actually led to the need for less medication use for behavioral issues.

“If you can get a smile out of somebody, you’re doing something right.”

Michael sums it up, explaining that Pathways of Purpose is more than just another program. It impacts culture because staff has a new outlook on how they impact the lives of residents. “We’re trying to look at just how we do everything differently now,” he told McKnight’s Senior Living. “One slogan is, ‘If you can get a smile out of somebody, you’re doing something right’.”

(Our header image shows Christopher Balmes, Life Engagement Director for Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California sharing a spontaneous moment of fun with residents.)

In celebration of National Law Enforcement Day, three former police officers from Porter Place Memory Care paid a visit to their local police station in Chicago. George Berryman, Tom Manion, and Curtis Cowsen dropped in to share memories and a batch of fresh baked cookies. The visit was heartwarming for the officers who enjoyed hearing stories from the retired police veterans. Even though they are living with dementia, they still remember the service they once provided to their own communities.

The visit was covered by local NBC TV station Channel 5. You can watch the full video here:

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/an-inspiration-retired-officers-with-dementia-stir-memories-during-police-station-visit/3322464

While the holidays are a time to enjoy special moments with family and friends, we hear from many adult children who, instead of returning with fond memories, return filled with worry about cognitive and behavioral changes they’ve observed in a parent.

Those changes may include one or more of the following:

1. Less interactive, showing difficulty following conversation.
2. Repeatedly forgetting what they were going to say.
3. Not appearing as well-groomed as usual.
4. Increased irritability, especially when challenged in any way.
5. Frequently misplacing their personal items, often in unusual places.

Is it just normal aging or early stages of dementia?

That, of course, is the question on so many family members’ minds. And it is a question that is not easily answered without doing some of your own groundwork and, of course, having a consultation with your loved one and his or her health provider.

The first step is to take a deep breath and begin to organize your thoughts and your actions.

The good news is that there are available tools to help clarify your observations.

One set of tools is available from Anthem Memory Care, courtesy of Roobrik. Here are a few of the tools. Each will ask you some questions about your observations and provide insights to help you decide next steps. Note that these are not diagnostic tools but can provide information that can help clarify your thoughts and serve as a reference when meeting with healthcare professionals.

• Dementia Assessment tool
• Is it Safe to Drive tool
• Is It the Right Time For Member Care tool

Another useful tool is the Dementia Behavioral Assessment (DBAT) checklist, which you can access here.

Also be sure to check out our Resources page for more insights and information.

This is a challenging journey. But one you needn’t take alone.

As you begin to take steps to understand the changes you are witnessing in your aging parent, it is important to include in that process those who are close to you. Family members and trusted friends can provide additional insights to help keep you focused and as objective as possible.

It is also important to know that you can reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities with your concerns. So many members of the Anthem team have experienced dementia within their own families. We are here to answer questions, provide a sympathetic ear, and provide useful resources to help you meet the challenges ahead. 

 Related Articles:

• Worried About Mom or Dad After Your Holiday Visit?
• Preparing for the Holidays with a Parent Who Has Alzheimer’s

Most people have, at one time or another, experienced serious mental and emotional distress. Often it is short lived, and they are able to navigate through each dark period. Yet, for others, preserving good mental health is something that must be worked at constantly. And it isn’t always easy.

For individuals living with dementias, such as Alzheimer’s, mental health issues, such as depression, can be especially challenging because they are being experienced in addition to the cognitive and behavioral changes associated with the disease itself.

First, it’s important to understand that Alzheimer’s is not a form of mental illness.

As Dr. Tam Cummings, noted author and dementia expert notes, Alzheimer’s is a brain disease. An article from North Georgia Clinical Research points to a few differences between mental illness and Alzheimer’s.

• An individual with mental illness may take notice of periodic memory loss and remember once prompted. An individual with Alzheimer’s will experience memory loss and, as the disease progresses, not be aware of it.
• Mental ability can deteriorate quickly with mental illness. Alzheimer’s progresses gradually.
• Verbal and motor skills are not typically impacted with mental illness as they are with Alzheimer’s.

And, yet there may be a link between mental health issues and Alzheimer’s.

A study from Harvard Medical School points to a connection between depression in older individuals and impaired cognition. It found that a state of depression, along with the presence of brain amyloid (a marker for Alzheimer’s) can lead to memory loss. There is hope that clinical trials targeting older individuals with depression who have medical markers for Alzheimer’s can lead to earlier identification and intervention to slow the progression of the disease.

How can individuals living with Alzheimer’s optimize mental health?

Here are a few ideas:

• Play mentally stimulating games. Chess, checkers, Scrabble, Sudoku, and other games requiring concentration are good choices.
• Learn something new. Whether it is a new game or new skill, the act of navigating a new set of actions keeps the brain connected and active.
• Engage in meditation. The deep relaxation of this mental health regimen can help reduce anxiety and restore emotional and mental well-being.
• Reach out for support. It is so important to establish a support network of family and friends who understand the disease and are ready to help. They will be needed as the disease progresses.

Individuals with Alzheimer’s, like all of us, will have good and bad days that impact their mental health and well-being. If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s it is important to arm yourself with information as well as develop your own support system. Mental health is critical to all of us, and that includes caregivers.

Feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We will be happy to answer your questions and provide resources to help you on your journey.  

 Related Articles:

• Caring for a Loved One with Dementia? 5 Tips to Optimize Your Own Mental Health
• 5 Tips to Better Mental Health

Every year around this time residents and staff at our communities are busy taking stock of the year that is ending and making new lists of resolutions for the new year.

Many of the resolutions are simple, such as “smiling more often”, or “appreciating the small things in life.” What is most important, however, is not the goal itself, but the satisfaction of setting it and taking steps to achieve it.  

Setting goals is good for everyone, regardless of age or health conditions.

A UCLA study found that when personal goals were set by a group of individuals with dementia as well as caregivers, about three-quarters of them met or exceeded their goals within a twelve month period. Most of the goals were non-medical in nature, including such things as “getting financial affairs in order” or “participating in activities outside the home.”

Now is the time to set some goals for the new year.

Here are a few tips from the Institute on Aging to help family caregivers support goal setting for a loved one with dementia.

• Keep the goals simple and attainable. A few suggestions might be to learn a new game that improves concentration, work on improving strength or balance, start a daily meditation session, or begin taking a moment every day to focus on things that make you happy.
• Focus on one goal at a time. Overloading your loved one with multiple goals will not only be confusing but overwhelming as well. Starting with the simplest goal is the best strategy.
• Take baby steps. For instance, if the goal is to learn a new game, you might break that down over several days, starting with 1) picking the game, 2) understanding the instructions, and 3) playing a game. Celebrate each step. “Great, now we have a game to try. We’ll take a look at the instructions tomorrow.”

Whatever the goal might be, it is so important to be supportive. Encourage your loved one every step of the way. Recognize that there will be good days and challenging days when concentration levels may be lower. Be ready to take a break and start up again the next day. And, while you’re at it, add in a few goals for yourself as well!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful New Year!

 Related Articles:

• Why Your New Year’s Resolutions are Important, Especially This Year!
• New Year’s Resolutions are For Everyone, Including Those with Dementia

The program "Operation Christmas Child" organized each year by Samaritan's Purse is one with special meaning to Highline Place Memory Care's Life Engagement Director, Annalise Wasberg. Annalise was herself a recipient of the program years ago as a child of military parents. She told her story recently to McKnight's Senior Living. "No matter where we are in life, it's important to give back in any way we can," she said.

That is so true for residents of Highline Place who enjoy the purposeful activity of filling special red and green shoe boxes full of small toys for children in need.

You can read the full story here: 

https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/home/in-focus/spreading-holiday-love-via-operation-christmas-child

When you have played Santa Claus for local children for so many years, why stop now? That's the attitude of James Berryman, a Highline Place Memory Care resident who has enjoyed putting on the red suit and listening to children share their Christmas list for years.

James was joined by "Mrs. Claus", wife, Teresa Berryman. Everyone enjoyed the special visit. The event was even covered by the Denver Post!

Rupert "Bob" Wendall joined with fellow Harvester Place residents, friends and family to celebrate his 100th birthday! A World War II veteran, Bob is a skilled craftsman and machine designer who, in addition to his wife of 25 years, has five children, fourteen grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren! 

Bob's secret to a long life? "Find someone you can talk with, so you can talk for hours. You'll have a long-lasting relationship and a healthy marriage." 

The celebration was featured in the local Burr Ridge Patch. You can read the full story here: https://patch.com/illinois/burrridge/burr-ridge-man-marks-100th-birthday

How time flies! Anthem Memory Care turns fifteen this month. Ours is a story full of ideas, vision, challenges, and great joy.

Founder, Isaac Scott, recalls the emergence of the Anthem concept from his own experience years ago. “I watched my grandmother transition from care facility to care facility and realized there had to be a better way to support loved ones with dementia,” he recalls. “My grandmother and, subsequently, my grandfather ended up living their final years at a home called Cornelia’s House, where they experienced love and joy despite their cognitive decline. We started Anthem to take the magic of that home and provide it on a larger scale.”

Today, Anthem Memory Care consists of nineteen communities and growing. Growth, however, doesn’t diminish the mission of “Protect, Engage, and Love”, which remains central to our guiding principles, never wavering in our commitment to our residents, families, and staff.

We thought a great way to celebrate would be to share with you 15 things that we feel define our communities and our organization.

Did you know that …

1. We are trailblazers. Anthem Memory Care is the first memory care provider to receive the Well Health certification.
2. We are a “Great Place to Work”. Each of our communities has attained the “Great Places to Work” seal of approval with consistently attain high scores from our employees. Glassdoor has ranked Anthem Memory Care above our competitors in 10 qualitative categories.
3. All our managers are Certified Dementia Practitioners. All our staff receive Alzheimer’s certification through the Alzheimer’s Association as a part of their onboarding experience.
4. We partner with industry recognized experts. This includes engaging renowned dementia expert and author, Dr. Tam Cummings, to conduct seminars and provide opportunities for everyone to learn about dementia.
5. We recognize excellence within our teams. We are committed to developing our employees from within, as evidenced by our recent promotions of employees to VP of Clinical Services, two Regional Directors of Operations, a VP of Programming, and a Senior Life Engagement Director.
6. Promoting a positive culture is at the heart of what we do. We lead with culture by acknowledging the importance of building a culture of support, inclusion, and growth. This includes not only our residents but every member of our staff.
7. We work with Pathways of Purpose. This is a philosophy embraced by our entire team that revolves around creating an environment of meaningful engagement between residents, families and staff. A daily connection to meaning and purpose brings a higher quality of life.
8. Anthem is more than a name and logo. The Anthem flame represents the Holy Spirit, individual spirit, and community spirit, each of which anchors our personal and professional values. The name “Anthem” represents a song of praise and loyalty to the people who live and work in our communities. The Anthem lamp lights the pathway forward to connect residents to their families and the world around them.
9. Our communities are full and thriving. A great example of this is Highline Place in Littleton, Colorado, which has been at 100% occupancy for the ten years it has been in operation.
10. Our future is built on quality, not quantity. We strive towards manageable growth to maintain the strong cultural bond we have with our communities and partners. We aim to be the best, not the biggest.
11. We believe that technology should be an enabler, not a replacement. That is why we have implemented best in class technologies, including falls management, engagement technologies, and clinical care tools to enable our team to work smarter and optimize care for our residents.
12. We are champions of purposeful living. Our residents and staff regularly engage in projects, activities, and fundraisers to give back to the greater community.
13. The pandemic tested us, and we came out ahead. While we were impacted like all care communities, our employees went the extra mile to maintain a safe, caring environment for our residents. Isaac Scott personally hit the road to secure hard to source protective gear and sanitizers for the communities. Programs and protocol were redesigned to help protect communities in the event of future health emergencies.
14. We support all families of loved ones with dementia. We do this by providing free dementia support groups as well as respite care programs for potential residents to try out our communities while their family caregivers have time to recharge and care for their own health.
15. Protect, Engage, and Love is more than a motto. It is our mission, one that our team lives and breathes every day, and from which our employee-led Code of Conduct was created.

We invite you to find an Anthem community near you. Walk in and you’ll feel a sense of connectedness and purpose between all those who live and work inside our doors.

Happy birthday, Anthem Memory Care. We’re proud of our first fifteen years. Here’s to the next fifteen!

The holidays are a wonderful time of year to enjoy gatherings with families and friends. However, they can raise anxieties for elderly loved ones who live alone, especially if they have been diagnosed with dementia. What was once a family home full of noisy celebrations can feel empty and cold for older individuals whose children have long since moved away.

That sense of isolation can cause serious problems. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, isolation and loneliness affects 50% of the population and brings with hit a higher risk of dementia, as well as cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Allison Moser Mays, MD, MAS at Cedars-Sinai Hospital urges families to take isolation seriously. “Loneliness and isolation, part of what we call ‘social determinants of health,’ are established risks for poor health and early death, especially for aging adults. The health risks are equivalent to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day,” she says.

The holidays can make isolation even more dangerous for elderly individuals. The optimum solution, of course, is to have mom or dad come for a holiday visit. However, for some families that is not possible, whether due to logistics or parents not wanting to leave the comfort of their own homes.

What are some things families can do to reduce isolation by keeping a connection with their elderly parents and friends over the holidays?

1. Use technology to connect daily. The pandemic ignited technologies that connect individuals through video calls. Make sure your loved one had the technology installed and is trained on how to use it. Then schedule a morning and evening call with them.
2. Arrange for trusted friends or neighbors to drop in daily. If this isn’t possible, consider engaging an agency or local senior care organization to stop in each day to check in on your loved one.
3. Reach out to local senior groups or assisted living communities. Many have holiday programs or activities which, with a little planning, could include your loved one.
4. Send a daily gift, card or letter. Anticipating a card or letter from a loved one is a great way to lift the spirits of your loved one. Include a few photos of family members to make it even more special.
5. Plan a post-holiday visit. While holiday travel may not be possible, arranging for a visit after the holidays can be more feasible. More importantly, it gives your loved one something to look forward to.

The holidays are a time to share special moments with family and friends. While in-person visits will always be optimum, with some planning, creativity, and perseverance, there are ways to keep the connection alive and well and make everyone feel loved and included this holiday season.

 Related Articles:

• Is Your Aging Parent Living Alone? How to Break the Isolation Barrier
• Is Isolation Harming Your Loved One with Dementia?