Home for the Holidays: Dementia-Friendly Holiday Tips for Your Loved One

Make this season special with dementia-friendly holiday tips to help your loved one feel safe, comfortable, and connected at home.

The holidays are a time of warmth, tradition, and togetherness. For families with loved ones living

in a nursing facility, particularly those with dementia, bringing them home, even for a short visit, can make the season especially meaningful. But making that visit smooth, safe, and memorable takes thoughtful preparation.

People with dementia often experience heightened confusion, sensitivity to new environments, and difficulty processing busy surroundings. By adapting your home and plans to meet their needs, you can help reduce stress and promote a sense of comfort and inclusion. Whether you're hosting a loved one for dinner or for a few days, here’s how to create a supportive and joyful environment this holiday season.

Rethink Holiday Décor

Festive lights, music, and decorations are part of what makes the season feel special, but for someone with dementia, too much stimulation can be overwhelming. Stick with simple, familiar decorations. Avoid flashing lights or animated figures, and keep walkways clear to reduce the risk of falls.

Incorporating items from past holidays, like a favorite ornament or family heirloom, can spark positive memories and invite conversation. Think cozy and calm, rather than flashy and loud.

Focus on Comfort and Safety

Look around your home from your loved one’s perspective. Could cluttered spaces, cords, or area rugs become tripping hazards? Are hallways and bathrooms well-lit at night? Making these small adjustments can prevent accidents and help your guest feel more confident navigating the space.

Store away anything potentially hazardous—cleaning products, medications, sharp utensils—especially if you’ll have children or other vulnerable guests in the home, too.

Stick to Familiar Routines

The holidays often throw schedules into chaos, but maintaining a sense of routine is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety for someone with dementia. If your loved one is visiting from a care facility, ask staff about their typical mealtimes and sleep schedule, and try to stick to that as closely as possible. Limit activities to avoid overexertion or overstimulation and give your loved one time to rest throughout the day.

Create a Quiet Space

Even with the best planning, holiday gatherings can be overwhelming. Designate a quiet room where your loved one can retreat if they need a break from the noise and activity. A cozy chair, soft lighting, soothing music, or even a favorite blanket can help create a calming retreat.

This quiet space doesn't have to be fancy, it just needs to offer a break from stimulation when needed.

Encourage Connection Through Familiar Activities

Participation fosters belonging. Invite your loved one to help with simple, familiar tasks like folding napkins, stirring cookie dough, or arranging holiday cards. Activities that are sensory-based and tied to positive memories can help keep your loved one engaged.

Looking through old photo albums or reminiscing about past holidays can also be a meaningful way to connect.

Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia

If your holiday plans involve travel, a few key strategies can make a big difference.

· Choose destinations that are familiar and easy to navigate.

· Travel during times of day when your loved one is typically most alert—usually mornings.

· Avoid tight schedules and give yourself plenty of downtime between events.

· Bring a comfort bag with essentials: snacks, water, medication, favorite items, and a change of clothes.

· Keep important documents handy: medical information, medication lists, emergency contacts, and insurance cards.

If flying, consider requesting wheelchair assistance to simplify airport navigation. Notify the airline and TSA in advance about your loved one’s needs, and don’t hesitate to ask staff for help throughout the journey.

Preparing Others for the Visit

Whether you’re hosting or visiting, it's important to prepare friends and family ahead of time. Let them know about your loved one’s condition and any changes they may notice, especially if it’s been a while since their last visit. Emphasize flexibility—plans may need to shift based on how your loved one is feeling.

Sometimes the best moments come from simply sitting together and sharing space, rather than elaborate activities or outings.

A Season of Support and Connection

Creating a dementia-friendly holiday experience doesn’t require perfection; it just takes intention. With a few adjustments and open communication, you can create a warm, safe environment where your loved one feels valued and included.