Newton Presbyterian Manor
Tips for Caregivers During the Holidays DECEMBER 2023
Local artist inspired to paint by Art is Ageless® competition A decade ago, Rita Patterson probably wouldn’t have considered herself an artist—much less a painter. However, that all changed once she learned about PMMA’s Art is Ageless® program. “I didn’t do any painting at all until a friend of mine suggested I paint something and enter the competition. I had never even heard of it before,” said Rita. Since then, Rita has gone on to win several awards at the competition’s masterpiece level, including this year when her painting, “Boat on the Boat on the Lakeshore by Rita Lakeshore,” was selected to be featured Patterson on a greeting card that was distributed with the 2024 Art is Ageless calendar. The idea for the painting originally came from a picture Rita saw on the front of a church bulletin a year or so ago. “It struck me as something very special and reminded me of all the Bible stories about Jesus and the disciples and all the time they spent out on the Sea of Galilee,” said Rita. Although Rita’s artistic abilities laid dormant for several years while she lived and worked on a farm, she believes that art was always a part of her DNA. “My uncle was an artist, but he died very young (I was five at the time), but maybe I got talent from him,” said Rita. As for Art is Ageless, Rita says she plans on continuing to enter just for her own enjoyment. “It’s fun, even if I don’t place, I like just seeing what I can do compared to others,” said Rita.u
The holidays are full of family, fun and tradition, but for some caregivers and people living with dementia, this season can also be incredibly stressful. Here are our top tips to help you and your loved one get through the holidays. 1. Avoid crowded and noisy places: Loud or crowded places can further confuse or frustrate someone living with dementia. Too many people or too many noises can be overstimulating. Instead, try to choose smaller and more low-key events that would not add to confusion or stress. 2. Maintain routines: This can be challenging when parties and holiday preparations disrupt our routine. Try however to keep your loved one’s routine unchanged. Some people living with dementia become confused or agitated in the evenings (sundowning). Consider celebrating earlier in the day to work around this. 3. Trust your instincts: You know more than anyone else how much you and your loved one can handle without feeling overwhelmed. If an event or group of visitors may be stressful or troublesome give yourself permission to reschedule or decline. It is okay to say “no”. u
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at NewtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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