Tips for a Dementia-Friendly Thanksgiving

NEW YORK—With Thanksgiving approaching, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) offered suggestions to help those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses ensure their Thanksgiving celebration is comfortable and dementia-friendly.

“Families caring for a loved one with dementia deserve to join together and celebrate Thanksgiving, and there a few simple steps they can take to make that celebration as joyful as possible,” said Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social services at AFA. “For caregivers, it means creating an environment where our loved ones can feel safe, valued and present in the moment. Being proactive and prepared are the best tools caregivers can use to give their loved one a happy Thanksgiving.”

To better care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia during the Thanksgiving holiday, AFA offered the following tips:

• Schedule the celebration early and incorporate the person’s routine. Individuals living with dementia can “sundown,” which is a syndrome that can cause agitation and confusion in the late afternoon or early evening hours. For those living with dementia or related illnesses, attending a celebration with a house full of guests can worsen these symptoms. To help avoid this situation, consider holding the celebration earlier in the day to make your loved one feel more comfortable. Changes in daily routine are challenging for someone living with dementia, so to the greatest extent possible, plan the celebration around their established routine.
• Prepare everyone involved prior to the celebration. Try to familiarize your loved one with all guests prior to the celebration by showing photos, sharing stories or arranging a phone call or “FaceTime” chat beforehand. Additionally, you could make an invitation to the event to share with your loved one, so they know the details and that it will be happening. Consider sharing beneficial information with guests about your loved one, such as ways to communicate with the person, what they respond well to and what may cause distress. These details are particularly important if the guests have not seen the person recently, and they will help facilitate positive interactions and engagement.
• Keep your loved one involved. Make changes to the celebration that enable your loved one to participate when possible. Focus on what they can currently do and invite them to help by preparing ingredients for a simple dish, setting the table or decorating. Playing familiar music or going through old photos are good ways to reminisce and bring joy and positive feelings to the celebration. For intergenerational activities, try singing familiar songs together, doing art activities or sharing a snack.
• Make a quiet space available. Prepare a quiet place away from the crowd where your loved one can go if the celebration becomes overwhelming. Provide familiar comfort items in the space (i.e., favorite blanket, sweater or stuffed animal) to help them feel safe and at ease. Try to control the flow of visitors when possible, bearing in mind that those in early stages of dementia are better able to interact than those in later stages.
• Ask for help. Preparing and holding a holiday gathering can be stressful, even without the additional responsibilities of caring for a loved one with dementia. Relatives and friends might be eager to help, but may not know how. Don’t be afraid to let them know what you need, whether that means asking them to bring a dish, help with cooking, shopping, decorating or spending time with your loved one while you are preparing for the celebration.

Caregivers who have questions about creating a dementia-friendly Thanksgiving celebration or any other question relating to dementia or caregiving can contact the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America here.