Preparing for the Holidays: Advice for Families Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia

(KNSI) – While the holiday season can be particularly challenging for families caring for loved ones with dementia, experts say there are ways to make gatherings more manageable and meaningful for everyone.

Jenna Fink from the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota and North Dakota shared advice with KNSI, emphasizing the importance of preparation and adjusted expectations.

Fink recommends families hold a pre-holiday meeting to discuss any changes in their loved one’s condition and establish realistic expectations for gatherings. “It’s important to maintain those relationships, both for caregivers and for the person with dementia. It’s just that the communication may look a little different. That interaction may look a little different than it has in years past.”

Families shouldn’t feel they need to abandon cherished holiday traditions entirely. Instead, Fink recommends adapting them to reduce stress on caregivers while keeping loved ones with dementia engaged.

“You know, still continuing on with those traditions, but again, kind of considering what traditions do you want to hold on to and how can we reduce maybe some of the stress around that?”

She says to focus on one-on-one interactions over large group settings, because excessive background noise and stimulation can be overwhelming for people with dementia. Proper lighting is also important to prevent falls, but not overly bright. Families should also be aware that reflections in windows during darker evening hours can confuse people with dementia.

Fink noted music, particularly familiar holiday songs, can be an effective way to connect with loved ones experiencing memory loss. She says holiday music is often ingrained from childhood and can help rekindle memories and facilitate meaningful interactions.

The Alzheimer’s Association operates a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900, where caregivers can receive guidance on managing holiday scenarios, gift ideas appropriate for different stages of dementia, and other support. Additional resources are available by clicking here.

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