What an exciting time of year—fireworks, bright lights, loud music, and large groups of people. July Fourth can be exhilarating, but it can also be devastating to individuals like myself, diagnosed with FTD or other cognitive disorders.

First, resist the impulse to skip it. Even with the limitations of FTD, July Fourth can be an enjoyable and meaningful occasion, if approached thoughtfully. Identify in advance those areas that are likely to have a negative impact and establish a plan of action.

People with cognitive disorders can have difficulty staying up late or become extremely exhausted when they do.
Caregivers should discuss plans ahead of time to learn their loved one’s preferences. One option is to rest or even sleep during the day and plan to wake at the time of the celebration. Another option is to avoid a late night altogether, and have a celebration earlier in the day.

People affected by bright lights can wear sunglasses or watch the fireworks through the video app of a smartphone, with the brightness turned down. To relieve the anxiety caused by loud noise, consider bringing earplugs, hearing-protection earmuffs, or noise-canceling headphones. If these alternatives don’t help, think about an area you can relocate to, further from the lights and noise.

Large groups of people can be stressful to those with FTD. Identify the number of individuals that you or a person with FTD are comfortable being around, and avoid gatherings likely to exceed that number, or be prepared to leave if events become too crowded.

It can be helpful to educate others about FTD. If you’re unable to speak for yourself, a responsible individual should help speak for you. AFTD offers sets of “awareness cards” that let anyone you may encounter in public know that your behavior and/or language ability may be altered due to the disease. This should also be explained to children using simple, basic language. People should be encouraged to make eye contact with the affected person to speak to them directly rather than to their caregiver.
Finally, if attending a July Fourth parade, barbeque, or fireworks isn’t possible, spend some time discussing memories of past Independence Day celebrations and what they meant to you and your family.Happy Fourth of July!