When I first moved in with mom to take care of her with Dementia (or risk the hospital placing her somewhere) I did not know what was getting myself into. Our first Christmas (two years ago now) had her taking the great grandkids presents from under the tree and hiding them in her room. Having moved so many times she is a professional packer and can pack and hide objects like no other. Last year I did not decorate for anything. She keeps saying we need a tree but the stress of finding decorations missing or presents taken may not be worth the risk. The pros and cons of decorating for a holiday we both love is driving me crazy. I love knowing I am not going through so many of the same things others are and greatly appreciate this forum.
An alternative idea: Just buy a live decorated evergreen center piece for the table or table top living room area.
When Mom went into AL I put up her tree every year, hung all her old ornaments, put out lots of familiar decorations. It was a lot of work and she did appreciate it. But then I realized she would have been happy with just a token tree, she had really forgotten she had most of the decorations. So the last year I kept it simple, saving me a lot of time and aggravation and she was just as happy.
I would say it matters, no matter how small the effort you make.
everyone loves xmas trees, xmas decorations...
there are also miniature xmas trees :).
nice xmassy colors.
at whatever age, it looks beautiful. :)
warms the heart :).
Then do a tree in the common area. Maybe if she has her own little tree and ornaments, she won't try to hoard items from the main tree. Only you know if she would still do that. Or maybe put it up, and only put ornaments on the main tree Christmas eve, or Christmas morning. Make it pretty for the grand kids.
When they get dementia, they get like little kids. They want what they want, now. So maybe she wants Christmas for herself. They just think what is immediately pleasureable, and want it.
Id keep gifts hidden so she can't take off with them. Good luck.
Give her packing tasks to kee her busy and happy.
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You can keep it simple if you are concerned with mom hiding the décor, and you can keep the presents hidden yourself until Christmas Eve or even Christmas day if needed.
So get that tree out today and have fun decorating it with your mom.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!