Visiting with those who might have dementia symptoms over the holidays can be happy and filled with good memories. In this video, Pam Ostrowski, Paige Fairbanks-Gunn, and Bobbie D’Addario answer questions on how best to be happier this time of year with many holiday dementia care tips and suggestions. 

Some of the holiday dementia care questions we answer from our audience include:

• This is the first year my parents will be in assisted living during the holidays. Mom has early stages of dementia and dad has trouble getting around.  I can’t be with them as I live out of state. What’s it like during the holidays at these communities?
• What tips do you have to help me not feel guilty or sad about not being with my parents for the holidays since this is their first holiday living in assisted living?
• We’re having a houseful of family for Thanksgiving, from ages 1 to 93. I’m worriedthat the kids may be too much for my elderly mother with early-stage dementia. The TV will be on loud because people will be watching football. What suggestions do you have for making this an enjoyable holiday for everyone?
• Can my holiday stress carry over to the person with early or mid-stage dementia? If so, what suggestions do you have for avoiding this?
• When visiting my dad with dementia, what are some communication tools I can use?