When it’s time for family traditions to change

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Mom had always prided herself on her baking prowess: pastries, from-scratch birthday cakes, doughnuts. At Christmas, she’d bake 15 kinds of cookies; at Thanksgiving, at least three pies. But dementia had slowly robbed her of this talent, just as it had robbed her of the ability to do other things she once loved. So Thanksgiving dinner became potluck, and the pies came from a store. I fervently wished things could be the way they once were. But it was impossible, and so we were coping, just like many other families are forced to do on the holiday.

Changing holiday traditions are the subject of the latest installment of It’s All Relative, our monthly column on caring for and staying connected with an aging family member. Click to read the full column as well as Alzheimer Assn. tips for helping Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa through a difficult transition.

-- Rosemary McClure

Illustration credit: Blair Thornley

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