'Tis the season to be jolly! Although there’s much to celebrate over the next few weeks, for family caregivers and those living with dementia, the holidays can be a difficult time to navigate.

Being adaptable and building an inclusive environment are key to creating dementia-friendly celebrations. While preparations may differ from the past, making the holidays special for you and your loved one is possible.

Consider these tips from one of our Memory Care Directors Lori Lafferty:

Adjust expectations. Caregivers already have a long to-do list, and undertaking extra roles to fulfill holiday traditions is a recipe for burnout. Give yourself grace and take on what you can safely manage. Adapting celebrations and keeping occasions small will reduce stress for you and your loved one.

Lafferty says, “Modify mealtime! It’s still a holiday meal at 1 p.m. Fellowship, family, and love are what matter the most.”

Prepare for visitors. Take time to update guests on your loved one’s condition. Be honest about their diagnosis and if abilities have changed or symptoms progressed. Fear of dementia is a thing, and even family members can be afraid to engage.

Lafferty suggests bringing out old family photos, home movies, or heirlooms to reminisce about or playing their favorite music and encouraging others to sing along.

“Your loved one will feel the connection. Try not to ask questions that start with ‘Do you remember?’ Try something like, ‘This is one of my favorite pictures of us; it was such a special day! What do you think?’” she says.

Create a safe, calm space by keeping decorations simple and reducing boisterous chatter. When guests are visiting, designate a quiet room where your loved one can retreat to should they feel overstimulated.

Include your loved one. Embrace their strengths and focus on their present abilities, not what they used to do. Appointing simple tasks like mashing potatoes, setting the table, or saying the blessing helps them feel important and purposeful.

“Above all, sit back and enjoy the holiday. If you’re relaxed and calm, your loved one will be. What’s most important is that you’re all together and lifting one another up,” she says.