Health
10 tips for dementia caregivers to make the holidays less stressful and more enjoyable
The holiday season can be a stressful time for everyone — but particularly for those living with dementia, as well as their caregivers and loved ones.
Statistics show that an estimated 6.7 million people over 65 in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia.
Meanwhile, nearly 90% of U.S. adults report experiencing stress during the holiday season, according to the American Psychological Association.
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“The holiday season can be confusing and overwhelming for those living with dementia, as well as a stressful time for their family caregivers who care for them every day,” said Jessica Corona-Irwin, an Ohio-based registered nurse and certified dementia practitioner at Remo Health, a virtual dementia care company.
“One-on-one interactions can be easier than larger group conversations, as the individual feels included and valued,” one expert said. (iStock)
“One reason for this is that the holiday season often involves changes in daily routines,” she told Fox News Digital. “People living with dementia often need to maintain a daily routine. This consistency can help them feel more secure and reduce anxiety.”
Several experts shared the following tips to help dementia patients, family members and caregivers enjoy a smooth, low-stress holiday.
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1. Prepare family and friends in advance
Kate Granigan, Aging Life Care Association board president in Boston, Massachusetts, recommends explaining any changes in the loved one’s behavior, memory or communication prior to holiday gatherings, especially if others are unfamiliar with dementia.
“A little preparation and understanding helps create a more positive atmosphere.”
“Encourage visitors to be patient, avoid correcting or interrupting, and give your loved one time to express themselves,” she suggested to Fox News Digital.
“A little preparation and understanding helps create a more positive atmosphere.”
2. Stay as consistent as possible
It’s important to try to keep meal times, bedtimes and other daily activities at approximately the same times during the holiday season, according to Corona-Irwin.
“If changes are necessary, make them gradually and communicate them clearly,” she advised.
One expert recommended engaging your loved one in familiar traditions, such as stirring cookie dough or singing familiar songs, to “spark joy and a sense of inclusion.” (iStock)
“For example, if you’re planning a holiday meal at a different time, one tip is to start shifting the usual mealtime a few days in advance to help your loved one adjust smoothly.”
3. Simplify the environment
It’s best to keep the dementia patient’s surroundings as simple as possible, according to Dr. Tina Sadarangani, an NYU professor, board-certified geriatric nurse practitioner, and founder of the CareMobi app and The Enlightened Caregiver.
“Stick to familiar and nostalgic decorations, avoiding flashing lights or loud sounds that might be overstimulating,” she suggested.
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The theme of simplicity should extend to activities, said Corona-Irwin.
“Prioritize activities that are simple and enjoyable, such as listening to favorite holiday music, looking at old family photos, or engaging in gentle, sensory activities,” she suggested.
“These can be very comforting and bring joy without causing stress.”
4. Communicate clearly and patiently
For many individuals with dementia, it can be challenging to follow conversations, especially when the environment is very busy and noisy, according to Dr. Michele Nealon, president of The Chicago School, a non-profit graduate school focused on psychology and related behavioral sciences.
When selecting gifts for someone with dementia, experts suggest considering their comfort and enjoyment. (iStock)
“Use straightforward language, make eye contact and give your loved one extra time to respond or even not respond,” California-based Nealon advised.
“One-on-one interactions can be easier than larger group conversations, as the individual feels included and valued.”
5. Embrace familiar traditions
Sadarangani also recommends engaging your loved one in familiar traditions, such as stirring cookie dough or singing familiar songs, to “spark joy and a sense of inclusion.”
“Sensory activities like listening to calming holiday music, touching soft decorations or enjoying the scents of the season can also evoke positive feelings without overwhelming them,” she added.
“Accept that holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.”
Focus on what they can do rather than their limitations, Sadarangani suggested.
“Involve them in simple, meaningful tasks like folding napkins or flipping through photo albums,” she said. “Planning short, flexible activities can prevent fatigue.”
6. Provide a calm space
The holidays tend to be noisier and busier than usual, which can overwhelm someone with dementia, Nealon noted.
“If you can, have a quiet space or room where they can retreat for relaxation if that is needed,” an expert suggested. (iStock)
“If you can, have a quiet space or room where they can retreat for relaxation if that is needed,” she suggested to Fox News Digital.
“Set up the room to be as soothing as possible, with soft lighting, familiar objects and gentle music to create a sense of calmness.”
7. Prioritize self-care
For caregivers, Sadarangani emphasized the importance of setting realistic expectations and prioritizing self-care.
“Accept that holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful and embrace moments of connection, however small they may be,” she advised.
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To help lighten the load during the busy season, caregivers should enlist help when they need it.
“Caregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting, and even brief moments of rest can go a long way toward reducing stress and avoiding burnout,” Nealon said.
“Ask for help, assign responsibilities to family members and get the family involved with cooking, decorating and cleaning up.”
“Caregivers cannot do it all, and certainly not alone.”
8. Choose thoughtful gifts
When selecting gifts for someone with dementia, Nealon suggests considering their comfort and enjoyment.
“Items like simple puzzles or a warm sensory blanket can provide much-needed comfort and joy,” she suggested.
9. Swap the TV for music
For some people living with dementia, watching television can be difficult, as they may struggle with storylines, according to Hannah Karim, care expert lead for the online care finder Lottie.
“It’s important to validate their feelings and provide reassurance.”
“This Christmas, swap out the TV for the radio — or a specially curated dementia-friendly playlist — as it can be easier to follow,” suggested Karim, who is based in the U.K.
“Music has many health and well-being benefits, especially for those with dementia,” she went on. “Research has found that music can help reduce anxiety and spark joy while reminiscing over fond memories of Christmas celebrations from the past.”
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Listening to the family’s favorite Christmas songs during the holidays can also help create shared memories for everyone, Karim added.
10. Validate their feelings
Emotional support is just as important as physical care, Corwin-Irwin noted.
“Your loved one might feel sad, anxious or overwhelmed during the holidays,” she said. “It’s important to validate their feelings and provide reassurance.”
“Stick to familiar and nostalgic decorations, avoiding flashing lights or loud sounds that might be overstimulating,” a geriatric nurse practitioner suggested. (iStock)
You can do this by letting them know it’s OK to feel the way they do and that you are there to support them, according to Corwin-Irwin.
“Simple gestures like holding their hand, giving them a hug or sitting quietly with them can be incredibly comforting,” she added.
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Added Sadarangani, “By focusing on creating a calm, inclusive environment and cherishing meaningful moments, you can ensure that the holidays remain a source of joy and connection for your loved one and your family.”
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Eating too much salt has long been linked to high blood pressure, but new research suggests it could trick the immune system into prematurely aging the blood vessels.
A preclinical study recently published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has identified a biological chain reaction that links a salty diet to cardiovascular decay.
Scientists at the University of South Alabama observed that mice on a high-salt diet experienced rapid deterioration in their blood vessel function.
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After just four weeks of high sodium intake, the small arteries responsible for regulating blood flow lost their ability to relax, according to a press release.
The team found that the cells lining these vessels had entered a state of cellular senescence, a form of premature cellular aging in which cells stop dividing and release a mix of inflammatory signals that can damage surrounding tissue.
Excess salt has long been linked to high blood pressure, but a new study goes deeper into its effects on the cardiovascular system. (iStock)
The researchers tried to replicate this damage by exposing blood vessel cells directly to salt in a laboratory dish, but the cells showed no harmful effects.
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This suggests that salt isn’t directly causing damage to the vascular lining but that the real culprit may be the body’s own defense mechanism, the researchers noted.
Excess salt may trigger the immune system to release a molecule called interleukin-16 (IL-16), which acts as a messenger that instructs blood vessel cells to grow old before their time, according to the study.
Excess salt may trigger the immune system to release a molecule called interleukin-16, which acts as a messenger that instructs blood vessel cells to grow old before their time, according to the study. (iStock)
Once these cells age, they fail to produce nitric oxide, the essential gas that tells arteries to dilate and stay flexible.
To test whether this process could be reversed, the team turned to a class of experimental drugs known as senolytics.
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Using a cancer medication called navitoclax, which selectively clears out aged and dysfunctional cells, the researchers were able to restore nearly normal blood vessel function in the salt-fed mice, the release stated.
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By removing the decaying cells created by the high-salt diet, the drug allowed the remaining healthy tissue to maintain its elasticity and respond correctly to blood flow demands.
Excess salt may trigger the immune system into stopping the cells from dividing, the study suggests. (iStock)
The study did have some limitations. The transition from mouse models to human treatment remains a significant hurdle, the team cautioned.
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Senolytic drugs like navitoclax are still being studied for safety, and the team emphasized that previous trials have shown mixed results regarding their impact on artery plaque.
Additionally, the researchers have not yet confirmed whether the same IL-16 pathway is the primary driver of vascular aging in humans.
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Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables was found to have a surprising link to lung cancer among younger non-smokers, early research suggests.
The observational study, led by Jorge Nieva, M.D., of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at Keck Medicine, was presented this month at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in San Diego. It has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Researchers looked at dietary, smoking and demographic data for 187 patients who were diagnosed with lung cancer at age 50 or younger.
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They found that among non-smokers, there was a link between healthier-than-average diets – rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains – and the chance of lung cancer development.
Young lung cancer patients ate more servings of dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains compared to the average U.S. adult, the researchers found.
Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables was found to have a surprising link to lung cancer among younger non-smokers, early research suggests. (iStock)
The researchers hypothesized that pesticides applied to conventionally grown produce could be a possible factor in the disease association.
“Commercially produced (non-organic) fruits, vegetables and whole grains are more likely to be associated with a higher residue of pesticides than dairy, meat and many processed foods,” according to Nieva. He also noted that agricultural workers exposed to pesticides tend to have higher rates of lung cancer.
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“There is a large subset of lung cancer patients whose disease is not caused by smoking,” Nieva told Fox News Digital.
The disease is becoming more common in non-smokers 50 and younger, especially women – despite the fact that smoking rates have been falling for decades, the researcher noted.
The researchers hypothesized that pesticides applied to conventionally grown produce could be a possible factor in the disease association. (iStock)
“These patients tend to have eaten much healthier diets before their diagnosis than the average American,” he went on. “We need to support research into understanding why Americans – and women in particular – who no longer smoke very much are still having lung cancer,” he said.
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The study did have some limitations, Nieva acknowledged, primarily that it relied on survey data and was limited by the participants’ memories of their food intake.
“Also, the survey participants were self-selected, and this could have biased the findings,” he told Fox News Digital.
“There is a large subset of lung cancer patients whose disease is not caused by smoking.”
The researchers did not test specific foods for pesticides, relying instead on average pesticide levels for certain types of food. Looking ahead, they plan to test patients’ blood and urine samples to directly measure pesticide levels, Nieva said.
Although the study shows only an association and does not prove that pesticides caused lung cancer, Nieva recommends that people wash their produce before eating and choose organic foods whenever possible.
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“This work represents a critical step toward identifying modifiable environmental factors that may contribute to lung cancer in young adults,” said Nieva. “Our hope is that these insights can guide both public health recommendations and future investigation into lung cancer prevention.”
“It is possible that the increased lung cancer risk could be due to pesticide exposure in whole farmed foods, but is by no means certain,” a doctor said. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said the study is “interesting,” but that it “raises far more questions than it answers.”
“It is a small study (around 150) and observational, so no proof,” the doctor, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.
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“It is possible that the increased lung cancer risk could be due to pesticide exposure in whole farmed foods, but it is by no means certain,” Siegel went on. “How much exposure is needed? How much of it gets into food and in which areas? This requires much further study.”
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Kayla Nichols, communications director for Pesticide Action & Agroecology Network, a distributed global network, said the organization agrees with the study’s conclusion that more research should be done on the rise in lung cancer, particularly in individuals eating diets higher in produce and fiber.
“There is a large subset of lung cancer patients whose disease is not caused by smoking,” the researcher told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“There is a bounty of existing research that already links pesticide exposure to increased risk of multiple types of cancers,” Nichols, who was also not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. She called for more research on chronic, low-level exposures to pesticides, as well as more effective policies to protect the public from pesticide residues on food.
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The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, as well as industry partners including AstraZeneca and Genentech, among others.
Fox News Digital reached out to several pesticide companies and trade groups for comment.
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