Navigating the Holidays with a Loved One Living with Dementia

Summertime in Australia is a wonderful opportunity to attend festive occasions and holidays, creating cherished memories with loved ones, but it can be tough for those navigating the holidays with a loved one living with dementia.

Christmas may involve gatherings of family and friends, exchanging gifts, sharing meals and spending extended time together. While it can be an exciting time, it can also be quite stressful and overwhelming for carers, and for those living with dementia for a few reasons, including:

• Changes in routine – there may be a pause in usual activities, families might be travelling or moving between locations more often or changes in general day to day routines, all of which may be confusing for a person living with dementia.  
• Changes in the environment whether at home or out. Decorations, different or loud noise and music, more people or different people around than usual can be confusing, over stimulating or trigger a negative sensory reaction.  
• The holiday period in Australia falls over summer so weather and heat may impact a person’s mood and health including energy levels and hydration.  

Everyone’s experience living with dementia is unique, so it is important to always consider the person’s abilities and include them as much as possible.

Tips on navigating the holidays with a loved one living with dementia

Dementia-friendly celebrations

A 2024 Dementia Australia research report ‘People in the community’ are the challenge and the solution: Towards a dementia-friendly future’ found that there is overwhelming stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with dementia.

Data in the report found that nearly three in four people (71 per cent) with a loved one living with dementia felt that people patronised their loved one. One in three suggested that people avoid or exclude them.

With this in mind, it is so important to involve loved ones if you’re navigating the holidays with someone living with dementia this holiday season. Ask your family, friends and community members to do the same and ensure that people living with dementia are treated with dignity and respect.

Tips for supporting and involving people navigating the holidays with someone living with dementia depend on the circumstances and a person’s capacity and can include:

• Encourage involvement in gift giving, receiving, wrapping and decorating depending on interest and ability to feel included.
• Support family and friends to engage with loved ones living with dementia in a comfortable way. This could include playing a game from Dementia Australia’s A Better Visit app, sitting together outside or in a quiet space or sharing in meal preparation.
• Be aware of the environment and consider adapting a particular part of the environment such as lighting, decorations, table arrangements, and noise.
• Try to maintain a normal routine to minimise possible feelings of insecurity or stress. For example, if sharing a special meal with others consider the person’s usual mealtime.  
• Rest and quiet times. Plan quiet times for you and the person living with dementia. Trying to maintain all traditions may increase overwhelm and stress for everyone.  
• Celebrations can trigger memories. It can be reassuring and validating for everyone to listen to and encourage shared recollections.
• Remember that as a carer you need a break and if possible, share the caring role over the holidays.

Helpful resources

If you are navigating the holidays with someone living with dementia and unsure about upcoming festive gatherings, holiday plans or if travelling is a good idea, seek the advice of a doctor.

For support, information or advice, contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au for webchat and email.

The Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and every day over the holiday period.  

It is often helpful to have someone to talk to. Our Helpline Advisors are here for you whether you have a question, are looking for information or want to be connected to dementia support. 

Warmest wishes for the holiday season.