Dementia-Friendly Tips for Caregivers
November 25, 2025
The holiday season is often described as a time filled with love, laughter and cherished traditions. Families gather around the dinner table, cook favorite recipes, exchange gifts and settle in for classic holiday movies. But for caregivers of loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, the holidays may feel less like a celebration and more like a source of emotional and physical stress.
Research shows that 64% of caregivers experience high levels of emotional stress, and these pressures often intensify during November and December. Between changes in routine, travel, crowded gatherings and heightened expectations, caregivers may find themselves stretched thin. Over time, this can lead to caregiver burnout, a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion that can diminish the well-being of both caregivers and their loved ones.
At the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) Memory Disorder Clinic, we understand these challenges. Our team works closely with families across North Florida to provide support, education and practical strategies for navigating life with dementia. One of our goals is to empower caregivers with tools to make the holidays not only manageable, but meaningful.
Below are six practical, dementia-friendly holiday strategies designed to reduce stress, strengthen connection and help you create a warm, supportive environment for your loved one.
1. Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Holiday
Holiday stress can often come from feeling rushed, overwhelmed or unsure of what to expect. A little early planning can alleviate much of this pressure.
Before the festivities begin, schedule a brief conversation with close family members by phone, video chat, text or group email. Share your loved one’s current needs and discuss what this year’s celebrations might realistically look like. This is also a great time to:
- Assign tasks such as cooking, decorating or hosting.
- Explain new limitations or routine changes.
- Ask for help with transportation, meal prep or setting up the home.
Clear expectations allow everyone to support you more effectively and help create a smoother, calmer holiday experience.
2. Communicate Your Limits
Caregivers often feel pressure to maintain every tradition, host every gathering or prepare every favorite dish. But it’s healthy – and necessary – to set boundaries.
Be open and honest about what you can and cannot do this season. Saying things like, “I can host, but I need help with the food,” or “We can attend dinner, but we’ll need to leave early,” gives others the chance to step in.
Communicating your limits doesn’t mean you’re letting anyone down. In fact, it allows your loved ones to contribute, adapt and create new traditions alongside you. Remember: asking for help is a sign of strength.
3. Adjust Your Timing to Reduce Stress
Many individuals with dementia experience sundowning, a type of late-day confusion or agitation. If this pattern affects your loved one, consider adjusting your holiday schedule.
- Hold gatherings earlier in the day.
- Serve lunch instead of dinner.
- Choose morning activities instead of evening ones.
By planning events at a time of day when your loved one feels most calm and alert, you can create a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. This simple shift often reduces overstimulation and helps maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
4. Create a Quiet, Comforting Space
Holiday celebrations naturally bring noise: laughter, conversations, clattering dishes, loud movies and excited children. For someone living with dementia, this environment can quickly become overwhelming.
Designate a quiet space in the home where your loved one can retreat if they need a break. This could be a spare bedroom or a cozy reading chair in a quiet area of the home. <
Include comforting items like familiar pillows, blankets or photos. Spend time with them in this area when needed to help them feel secure and connected.
This simple step can make gatherings more manageable and reduce anxiety for your loved one.
5. Keep Gatherings Small and Predictable
Big holiday parties can be overstimulating for someone with dementia. Smaller, quieter gatherings are often more enjoyable.
To make the experience smoother:
- Limit the number of guests.
- Ask visitors to call ahead so you can prepare.
- Remind guests to speak slowly, calmly and one at a time.
- Schedule short video or phone calls for relatives who can’t attend.
Keeping things simple reduces stress, decreases confusion and creates more meaningful moments together.
6. Involve Your Loved One in Safe, Simple Activities
Even as abilities change, many people living with dementia enjoy participating in holiday traditions. Involving your loved one in small, manageable tasks helps them feel valued and connected.
Consider activities such as:
- Setting napkins or silverware
- Stirring ingredients or washing produce
- Hanging ornaments or helping place decorations
- Playing familiar holiday music
- Looking through photo albums of past celebrations
The goal isn’t perfection, it’s connection. Focus on what feels comfortable and joyful rather than what feels elaborate or stressful.
You’re Not Alone: Support is Always Available
The holidays may look different when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, but with the right support, they can still be filled with warmth, comfort and meaning.
If you need help navigating the season, have questions about dementia care or want to learn more about available resources for caregivers, the TMH Memory Disorder Clinic is here for you. Our social work team provides education, counseling and community resources, and our services are available to all community members, not only TMH patients.
To speak with our social work team, call 850-431-5001 then select option seven.
