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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Older adults who avoid meat in their golden years may be less likely to reach age 100 than their meat-eating counterparts, new research suggests.
Researchers tracked more than 5,000 adults aged 80 or older who were enrolled in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.
Between 1998 and 2018, data showed that those who did not eat meat were less likely to reach their 100th birthday than those who consumed animal products regularly.
The findings seem to contradict previous studies that have linked vegetarianism and plant-based diets to lower risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity.
Most evidence supporting the benefits of plant-based diets comes from studies tracking younger populations, the researchers noted.
The findings contrast with previous research praising plant-based diets for their positive influence on heart health. (iStock)
The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, points to losses in muscle mass and bone density with age, shifts that can increase the risk of malnutrition and frailty in the “oldest old.”
As people enter their 80s and 90s, the nutritional priority often shifts from preventing long-term chronic diseases to maintaining day-to-day physical function, experts say.
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“The headline ‘vegetarians over 80 less likely to reach 100’ sounds surprising, because it contrasts with decades of data linking plant‑forward diets to lower chronic disease risk earlier in life,” Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, told Fox News Digital.
“However, once you see that this research is limited to adults over the age of 80 who are also underweight — and that this link disappears with the consumption of eggs, dairy and fish — the results are less surprising.”
While diets earlier in life tend to emphasize avoiding long-term disease, older age necessitates nutrients and weight maintenance, experts say. (iStock)
In those over 80, restricting animal proteins may be less likely to promote longevity, according to Palinski-Wade, who was not involved in the study.
Eliminating all animal protein — particularly in a population that may already experience diminished hunger cues — can make it more difficult to meet adequate protein needs, potentially increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies, the nutritionist said.
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In addition to a higher tendency to be underweight, older populations also face a greater risk of bone fractures due to lower calcium and protein intake.
Potential limitations
The lower rate of vegetarians reaching 100 was only observed in participants identified as underweight, the researchers noted. No such association was found in people who maintained a healthy weight.
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Because being underweight is already linked to greater frailty and mortality risk, the researchers noted that body weight may partly explain the findings, making it difficult to determine whether diet itself played a direct role.
Those incorporating animal-sourced products other than meat were just as likely to live to 100. (iStock)
Additionally, the shortened lifespans were not found in people who continued to eat non-meat animal products, such as fish, dairy and eggs.
Older adults with these more flexible diets were just as likely to live to 100 as those eating meat, as these foods may provide the nutrients necessary for maintaining muscle and bone health, the researchers noted.
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“This is an observational study, so it can only show associations, and does not prove that avoiding meat directly reduces the odds of reaching 100,” Palinski-Wade added.
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The researchers suggested that including small amounts of animal-sourced foods could help older seniors maintain essential nutrients and avoid the muscle loss often seen in those who stick strictly to plants.
Eliminating all animal protein — particularly in a population that may already experience diminished hunger cues — can make it more difficult to meet adequate protein needs, potentially increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies. (iStock)
Palinski-Wade offered some guidance for those looking to optimize nutrition later in life.
“For adults in their 80s and beyond, especially anyone losing weight or muscle, the priority should be maintaining a healthy weight and meeting protein and micronutrient needs — even if that means adding or increasing fish, eggs, dairy or well‑planned, fortified plant proteins and supplements.”
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Strict vegan or very low‑protein patterns at that age should be carefully monitored by a dietitian or clinician, with attention to B12, vitamin D, calcium and total protein, according to Palinski-Wade.
“Younger and healthier adults can still confidently use plant‑forward or vegetarian patterns to lower long‑term chronic disease risk,” she added.
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In a dramatic turn of events that’s captured the attention of animal lovers worldwide, Punch — the young macaque at a zoo in Japan famous for his inseparable bond with a stuffed orangutan toy — has reached a major milestone in his journey toward social integration.
On Thursday, visitors and staff at the Ichikawa Zoological and Botanical Garden witnessed a breakthrough: Punch was seen cuddling with and hitching a ride on the back of a fellow macaque.
Punch’s story began with hardship. He was abandoned by his mother shortly after his birth in July 2025 — and to ensure his survival, zookeepers stepped in to hand-rear the primate.
On Jan. 19, 2026, the zoo officially began the process of reintegrating Punch into the “monkey mountain” enclosure.
The transition was initially fraught with tension.
Punch’s story began with hardship when he was abandoned by his mother shortly after he was born. To help him, zookeepers gave him a stuffed toy that he began dragging around everywhere he went. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
As a hand-reared infant, Punch was bullied and ignored by the established group of monkeys.
He was often seen huddled alone with his orange plush companion while the rest of the troop interacted.
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In an official statement released Feb. 27, the Ichikawa Zoological and Botanical Garden detailed the meticulous care behind this process.
Previous viral videos showed Punch bullied by the rest of the troop, running to his plushy toy for comfort. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“From an animal welfare perspective, our primary goal is to reintegrate Punch with the troop,” the zoo said.
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The strategy involved nursing Punch within the enclosure, so the troop could recognize him as one of their own, and pairing him with a gentle young female macaque prior to his full release to build his confidence.
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The latest footage, captured by X user @tate_gf, suggested the zoo’s patience is paying off.
The video shows Punch seeking physical contact not from his toy, but from another monkey — eventually climbing onto its back for a vital social behavior for young macaques: the “piggyback ride.”
The zoo’s strategy appears to be paying off: Punch, shown at far left, was recently seen riding on the back of a fellow macaque. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
While Punch still carries his stuffed toy for comfort during moments of perceived danger, the zoo remains optimistic about his progress.
The organization cited the successful 2009 case of Otome, another hand-reared macaque who eventually outgrew her stuffed toy, successfully integrated — and went on to raise four offspring of her own.
The zoo has had crowds coming to see Punch, with hundreds of people lining up to get inside to see the young star, according to reports.
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“I’m hoping Punch has a good life like everybody else does, and think he’s a cute little guy,” one person commented online.
“Such a precious baby,” another person wrote.
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