Holidays and Dementia: Celebrating the Season with Your Family Member

Holidays are when families come together to reflect on the year with joy and gratitude. For those whose loved ones are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, they celebrate this special season a bit differently.

Since the noise and crowd can be overstimulating and cause aggression or agitation, adjusting some traditions makes more sense. How? Here are some tips for getting the good times rolling and making them dementia-friendly.

The Holidays and Dementia Elevate the Pressure

The last-minute shopping, traffic-laden roads and your endless kitchen to-dos intensify stress. It’s twice as challenging if your relative has dementia. The holidays can especially feel lonely for seniors with severe conditions, adding to the pressure of preparations. Additionally, the year- end rush can exacerbate their stress and make them more susceptible to confusion and other behavioral symptoms.

How can you make the occasions merry yet safe? The key is to manage your expectations. Tone down the celebrations. For instance, you may have to limit guests to only family members. Set realistic goals and strive to make each moment meaningful instead of perfect. Happy memories make for the most unforgettable shared experiences.

Preparing for Joyful Holidays When a Loved One Has Dementia and Alzheimer’s

1. Simplify Gatherings

It’s tempting to throw a large party. However, you may need to give these crowded gatherings a pass to prevent anxiety, ensuring your loved one is comfortable throughout the celebration. Unfamiliar faces can trigger agitation or confusion. Make it intimate. Fewer guests mean less mental stimulation.

2. Adjust the Environment

Similarly, keep decorations minimal and non-intrusive. People with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia often find blinking lights, loud music and colorful trinkets mentally overwhelming. Decors in blue and green instill a sense of calm , which helps minimize behavioral symptoms.

3. Find the Perfect Timing

Adjust the timing of your gathering to match your loved one’s energy levels. Some people with cognitive impairment may experience sundowning, making late afternoon to evening less ideal for events. However, they might be in the best mood in the morning. In this case, moving the party to 7 or 8 a.m. is more sensible and viable.

4. Designate a Safe Space

If the party isn't in your home, inform the host to prepare a quiet area where your loved one can retreat if needed. A room opposite the venue where noise is minimal reduces anxiety and ensures your loved one is comfortable even in a new environment. Make sure it’s safe and free from tripping or fall hazards.

5. Involve Your Loved One in Preparations

Another tip to reduce the stress caused by the holidays and dementia symptoms is to involve your loved one in preparing for the party. Assign simple tasks to them, like wrapping gifts or helping with cooking in the kitchen. This feeling of inclusion promotes a sense of purpose and makes them look forward to the event. Positive emotions curb negative ones.

6. Give the Guests a Heads-up

Educate relatives or friends they haven’t seen in years about positive interactions. Your loved one may throw the same question repeatedly or forget their names. Ask them to be patient and understanding during conversations. Remind them to avoid arguing with your loved one to keep their mood pleasant.

7. Plan Engaging Activities

Can joyful holidays and dementia challenges co-exist? Yes. The trick is to include one or two fun activities your loved one can participate in. Fortunately, you don’t have to rack your brain to come up with great choices. Memory-stimulating games like puzzles, cards or charades are simple yet safe activities to promote socialization and keep them entertained.

Tips for Reducing Behavioral Challenges

The holidays offer a great excuse for families with loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer’s to reconnect over meaningful conversations. These memory care tips from Senex Memory Advisors will give you ideas on minimizing dementia symptoms during the holidays.

• Know the triggers: Crowded spaces, bright lights , loud noises, cold and stress can provoke negative behaviors. Avoid them to curb anxiety.
• Look for signs of fatigue: If you notice your loved one feeling discomfort or are starting to behave unusually, suggest resting in a quiet room or leaving the party early.
• Learn how to distract: If they start to be upset, divert their attention with healthy coping methods. Suggest taking a walk or enjoying their favorite music.
• Offer reassurance: If they get aggressive, stay calm and listen to what they have to say. Use soothing words and know the source of negative behaviors to address the issue.
• Be adaptable: Be prepared to adjust your plans, like cutting the party short if they become too stressed. Don't feel bad when this happens. Instead, focus on the quality of shared moments you have with them.

Consider Memory Care Advice From Senex Memory Advisors

You can make holiday celebrations fun and memorable. First, simplify your event. Not only will it streamline your preparations, but it will also benefit your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. It’s less stimulating, allowing them to mentally focus on quality moments.

Additionally, involve them in planning your holidays. Let them contribute in their own way, whether hanging the decorations or cooking in the kitchen. Embrace this holiday season with love by making it dementia-friendly and joyful.

Syed Rizvi

Syed has years of experience dealing with people, understanding their needs, and helping them find solutions to their problems.
As a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP), Syed is committed to working closely with Senior and their family knowing what is it like for individuals facing a challenging time, at times groping in dark trying to figure what is the appropriate next step or care level for their unique situation.
Syed and Senex Memory Advisors are fully committed to working closely with families in creating a personalized, step-by-step process memory care plan at zero cost.