Social gatherings, even if there are only a handful of people, can be overwhelming and sometimes frightening for a person with Alzheimer’s disease. The person can become confused and over-stimulated by the noise and commotion, which can lead to anxiety and agitation. While social interaction in general is good, it is best to try to tailor the interaction to suit your mother-in-law’s condition. Therefore, perhaps going to fewer such events would be warranted, or only attending those events with smaller gatherings. Before you accept an invitation on behalf of your mother-in-law, make sure the event is at a time that is good for her (i.e., it does not interfere with naps, or is too late at night). Typically, Alzheimer’s patients are better in the morning and early afternoon, so an evening event may be more challenging for them.

When you arrive at the event, find a quiet place where you can take your mother-in-law. This will be her little sanctuary away from the noise and confusion of the party, particularly if there are children present. If the event is at someone’s home, for example, ask in advance if a separate room or secluded area can be made available for your mother-in-law to sit in. If people want to visit with your mother-in-law, bring them to her a few at a time. Even if you think that your mother-in-law will know who these visitors are, be sure to introduce each one and provide some details or a brief description of who they are. For example, you can say “This is Cathy, your niece. We stayed at her house last summer and had a good time swimming in the lake.” Not only will this help to jog your mother-in-law’s memory about who the person is, but it can also make for an easy conversation starter.