Our loved one, Bridget, is in memory care and is at the stage where she really can't eat hard food anymore. So, treats are off the table at this point. But we do still try to decorate her room (especially for St Patrick's day because she LOVED being Irish!) We also ask her friends and family to send her cards (that her visitors & staff can read to her) and then they tape them to the wall or to her door. We think it's nice for her (even if she isn't really aware of it) and we think it is a good exercise for her friends and family as it helps them stay connected to her, even if in just the tiniest of ways. XOXOXO

I guess a lot depends how far the disease has progressed. Last year I tried to carry on like usual. We had a nice tree, had family over (we have a small family), and food. I got the tree, was able to get it in the stand myself, and decorated it. When I got up in the morning ornaments were missing and the lights were all over the place. Through the season I just kept half heartedly putting things back together. By the end of the season I had decided there would be no tree this year. Would have been hard if not impossible to do it. We had the family over, which was 9 in total. It just overwhelmed my wife. Of course she didn't know anybody and started crying. The food was good but my wife, who isn't much of an eater anyway, ate only a few bites. When she was in a less advanced stage we were able to do it. But, at least for us, the later stages are not really possible. My wife has forgotten holidays and what they are just as she doesn't know us. The only ones she really remembers are her mom, dad, and brother, all deceased. I wish they could be here and bring her some joy.

Holidays. Always a dilemma. We are all over the map with that. We have to travel to be with family. Since my wife broke her ankle two years ago, we cannot stay with anyone because they all have stairs and no handicap accessible bathrooms - neither of which work with a cane or walker! Then there is the whole "being out of her own home" piece and being around my large family with little ones underfoot. Last year I thought might be the last year but we're scheduled to go on this little rollercoaster again! YEAH!
Throw in my oldest brother in SNF and add in more 'here's a look at my future' moments. As a family, we have learned a few things over the years with my brother, however! We take the holiday celebration to him! They have a family room at his facility and we reserve it! We cater in the food so no one has to worry with it, They typically decorate, we bring some familiar things from home and use the best quality disposable tableware we can get and make the best of it. We were trying to bring him to my brother's home but finally realized what a toll it was taking on him. Since we started doing this, he (and we) has been much happier and have enjoyed our time together.
Remember to make it about your loved one, not you!

Having type 2 diabetes and having to be really careful.

Keep your Halloween treats simple when giving them out. Lots of parents don't allow their kids to take home made treats although they are healthier. You may want to consider just buying a couple bags of snack size candy bars, dress up in your own Halloween costume and enjoy giving your treats away to your neighborhood kids that way. :)
Thanksgiving and Christmas can be more challenging. Check out the article at
https://www.myalzteam.com/resources/keeping-hol...

Keeping Holidays Special While Caring for a Loved One With Alzheimer's | myALZteam

https://www.myalzteam.com/resources/keeping-holidays-special-while-caring-for-a-loved-one-with-alzheimers