Dr. El on Deborah Shouse Writes
Deborah Shouse, author of Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey, recently posted suggestions from several experts (including me) on creating successful holidays when families are affected by Alzheimer’s.
Kindling Holiday Magic During Seasons of Change
“There’s a story behind these butterscotch brownies,” I told our Thanksgiving guests, as my brother Dan served dessert. “Mom created the recipe when Dan was six and became allergic to chocolate.”
There was a collective gasp as people imagined the horror of being allergic to chocolate. Then there were satisfying sighs as they tasted the melting sweetness of the brownies; Dan had re-created the recipe when my mother, disabled by Alzheimer’s, could no longer bake. Fortunately, Mom enjoyed sweets all her life and we always shared the story of these treats with her, reminding her how much we loved and appreciated her.
These brownies were one way my brother and I honored our mother during the holiday season.