Amid the hustle and bustle and holiday cheer, year-end seasonal celebrations can pose unique stressors and demands for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, as well as their caregivers.
"Holidays are a time of great family gatherings and traditions, and they’re important to so many of us, but they’re also a time that can be lonely and stressful," said Dr. Nathaniel Chin, medical director at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC). "People living with memory loss and people caring for a loved one with dementia should know there are strategies and resources available to help them through holiday stress."
Chin emphasizes the value of routine, adding, “It’s helpful to establish your daily routines because it grounds us, orients us and requires less brain energy. Similarly, holiday traditions can be important and tap into people’s long-term memory.”
Holiday resources and tips
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) offers these tips for adapting a holiday activity:
- Understand that things will be different, and be realistic about what you can do
- Incorporate the holiday traditions of the person with Alzheimer’s
- Create a quiet space in case the person with Alzheimer’s needs a break. Have their favorite activities or calming music in that space
- Ask friends and family to visit. Limit the number of visitors at any one time
- Avoid crowds, changes in routine, and strange places that may make the person with Alzheimer’s feel confused or nervous
- Remember to enjoy yourself. Find time for the holiday activities you like to do. Ask a friend or family member to spend time with the person in your absence
- Get more ideas and tips for caregiving on the NIA website
The Alzheimer’s Association provides a detailed list of helpful resources, including ideas for connecting via technology and adapting gift-giving for the person living with the disease or their caregiver. Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Association toll-free 24/7 Helpline is a free service offering support for people living with dementia, caregivers, families and the public. Call 800-272-3900 to connect.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) offers dementia-friendly advice on its website:
- Making the Holiday Season Dementia-Friendly: The DOs and DON’T’s
- Holiday Travel Tips for Families Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia
- Six Steps to Reduce Holiday Stress for Caregivers
- A list of more helpful articles
The toll-free AFA Helpline is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT. Call 866-232-8484 to connect with a licensed social worker specifically trained in dementia care.
Listen to the Dementia Matters podcast episode, “Holiday Tips for Dementia Caregivers,” with guest Dr. Alexis Eastman.
Find more resources for people with dementia and care partners on our website.
Updated 12/10/2024
