Finding Joy and Connection: Supporting Seniors with Dementia During the Holiday Season

The holidays are a time filled with laughter, gatherings, and cherished traditions—but for seniors, especially those living with dementia, this season can bring mixed emotions. While festive lights and family visits can spark joy, they can also trigger confusion, anxiety, or fatigue.

1. Simplify, Don’t Eliminate, Traditions
Familiar scents, songs, and decorations can provide comfort and connection. Keep holiday traditions, but simplify them—perhaps listening to favorite holiday music or baking one familiar recipe instead of a full spread.

2. Focus on the Senses
Sensory experiences—like holding a soft blanket, smelling cinnamon, or looking at twinkling lights—can bring back comforting memories even when words fade. Sensory cues often reach places memory cannot.

3. Create Calm in the Chaos
Loud music, large crowds, and flashing lights can overwhelm someone with dementia. Schedule visits at quieter times of the day and provide a peaceful retreat space when things get too stimulating.

4. Include, Don’t Overwhelm
Find small, meaningful ways for your loved one to participate—folding napkins, hanging ornaments, or saying grace. These moments of inclusion remind them that they still belong.

5. Care for the Caregivers
Family members and caregivers deserve grace, too. It’s okay to set boundaries, accept help, and remember that connection—not perfection—is the true gift of the season.

The holidays may look different, but they can still be beautiful. With patience, empathy, and flexibility, we can make this season one of warmth, dignity, and love for our seniors and those who care for them.