We know caregiving during The Holidays can be a challenge. We want to help you and your family enjoy your holiday as much as you can! We have put together some of the best holiday tips for families living with Dementia. Please click the link(s) below to read more. Holiday Tips for Everyone Living with Dementia by Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC Tips for the Person with Dementia: 1. Take some time out to relax. 2. Do what you enjoy. 3. Consider letting people know when you need a break or are having trouble. 4. Make a list with your partner of what you would like to do this season. 5. Use the list to help keep on track. 6. Consider saying - "I know I know you, but I just can't place you..." when someone greets you and you aren't sure who they are to you. 7. Watch or listen to old, familiar music, movies, TV programs that make you feel good. 8. Get some exercise every day. 9. Get plenty of water each day. 10. Be careful about too many sweets or treats. 11. Work the a partner to do familiar and fund activities (For example: Making, signing, mailing cards OR making up mixes with recipes to share with the family). Tips for the Care Partner: 1. Keep gatherings smaller & visits shorter. 2. Offer time out. 3. Make a list of pleasures to do. 4. Encourage going out and doing something fun together rather than just talking. 5. Ask visitors to bring old pictures, old families items or props, and be prepared to reminisce about old times. 6. Take breaks from each other. 7. Consider cutting back on traditions if they seem distressing. 8. Help visitors out by introducing them with some orienting information, if they forget to do so 9. Get some exercise & take care of your stress levels. 10. Get a 'Friend' to help the person with dementia select gifts, shop, or do something special for loveds ones, including you! Tips for the Visitor: 1. Start off by looking friendly and offering your hand in a handshake. 2. Introduce yourself by name, then PAUSE, if the person still doesn't seem to know you, give them a little more background. 3. Use shorter phrases and PAUSE between thoughts or ideas, giving the person a chance to respond. 4. Talk about the old times more than recent information. 5. Keep memories positive if possible. 6. Accept general comments, don't push for specifics. 7. Don't correct errors, go with the flow of the conversation. 8. Be prepared to hear old stories over and over, use old pictures or props to bring up other old memories... and laugh. 9. Do something with the person rather than just talking to them. 10. If the person says something distressing or seems worried about something, realize it may not be true, but they are not lying to you, their brain is lying to them. Check it out with the care partner before acting on it. Additional Tips for the Holidays: >> The Holidays & Alzheimer's by The Alzheimer's Association >> Traveling tips for safe Holiday Travel by The Alzheimer's Association >> Holiday Gift Guide for Caregivers and People living with Dementia by The Alzheimer's Association >> 10 Holiday Tips every caregiver should know by Alz Lab