Navigating dementia during the holidays

The holiday season is often filled with gatherings of family and friends, festive decorations and the hustle and bustle of seasonal traditions. While many enjoy celebrating, this time of year may also bring about feelings of stress, sadness and disappointment. For individuals and families living with dementia, the holidays can be an especially challenging time.

Unfamiliar places, large groups of people, noise and a hectic pace can bring feelings of anxiety, fatigue, frustration and depression for both someone living with dementia and care partners. Feelings of grief or loss can also arise over the holidays, including a sense of sadness when you’ve decided to let go of certain traditions, especially if it means less time with family or friends.

It’s important to stay connected by seeking support from the people around you. While it may be difficult to ask for help, reaching out to family, friends or neighbours keeps you involved, helping to reduce stress and prevent burnout.

Another way to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the holidays is to consider where you put your time and energy. You may think about simplifying celebrations, like having smaller or more casual social gatherings or cutting down on a few holiday tasks, like baking, shopping or decorating.

Here are a few more tips and ideas to help you safely enjoy the holidays while navigating dementia:

• Make a simple wish list ahead of time of straightforward goals that will help you set realistic expectations for yourself
• Communicate with family and friends about your needs and boundaries for holiday activities and gatherings
• Plan a video call to connect with family as an alternative to meeting in person
• Take care of your mental and physical health – be aware of doctor or clinic closures and have a list of phone numbers to contact in case of emergency

When you’re unsure where to go for help and support, or how to approach the holiday season, the Alzheimer Society is a welcoming place to turn. Our First Link® Client Support team can help you figure out how to handle holiday gatherings and traditions in a way that’s safe, comfortable and enjoyable.

If you’re looking for more information on navigating the holidays, check out ALZeducate’s next webinar, Celebrating Special Occasions, which you can attend for free via Zoom on Thursday, December 18, from 9 – 10:30 am. Click here for more information & to sign up.

You are not alone this holiday season. Connect with us by calling 204-943-6622 (Winnipeg), 1-800-378-6699 (Manitoba) or emailing alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca.