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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A new injectable therapy is showing positive results in reducing melanoma throughout a five-year period.
The personalized mRNA cancer therapy, called intismeran autogene, combined with the cancer immunotherapy drug KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), is a collaboration between Merck and Moderna.
The results from the phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 27.
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After about a five-year follow-up, the combo drug was found to reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% compared to pembrolizumab alone.
The researchers analyzed data from 157 patients with high-risk stage 3 and 4 melanoma whose cancer had been removed via surgery. The participants were split into two groups — one received the combo therapy and the other only received pembrolizumab, according to a press release.
The therapy was found to reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% compared to pembrolizumab alone after a five-year follow-up. (iStock)
The findings revealed that the combination group saw benefits that were “sustained and durable over time.”
Intismeran autogene is designed using mutations identified in a patient’s own tumor, with the intention of teaching the immune system what the cancer looks like so that it can recognize and attack it.
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According to the researchers, intismeran is “well-tolerated” with a “manageable” safety profile.
The most commonly cited side effects of the personalized mRNA vaccine plus KEYTRUDA were fatigue, injection-site pain, chills, fever and headache. The researchers reported no new long-term safety concerns and no severe vaccine-related adverse events.
The combination therapy is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 study — the final confirmation stage.
Patients with late-stage melanoma have a “significant risk” of cancer recurrence, according to an expert. (iStock)
In a Merck press release from January, Kyle Holen, MD, Moderna’s senior vice president and head of development, oncology and therapeutics, noted that this data highlights the “potential of a prolonged benefit … in patients with resected high-risk melanoma.”
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“We continue to invest in our platform in oncology because of encouraging outcomes like these, which illustrate mRNA’s potential in cancer care,” he said.
Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, also commented that for many patients with stage 3 or 4 melanoma, there is a “significant risk of recurrence following surgery.”
Researchers confirmed that the combination therapy is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 study. (iStock)
“As such, demonstrating the longer-term potential of intismeran autogene and KEYTRUDA to reduce the risk of recurrence for certain patients with melanoma is a meaningful milestone,” she said.
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The company cited encouraging five-year follow-up data and pointed to upcoming late-stage INTerpath trial results with Moderna in several hard-to-treat cancers.
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An accidental lab discovery has opened the door to entirely new ways of preventing the flu.
While investigating how influenza replicates, researchers discovered that different flu strains use completely different strategies to infiltrate human cells, SWNS reported.
By targeting the specific molecules the viruses rely on, scientists found that they could block them from entering new cells and halt their replication altogether.
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Researchers say these “fundamental insights” into seasonal influenza highlight a clear path toward developing better preventive medications.
“The hope is that fundamental, curiosity-based research like this helps to pave the way for novel strategies to treat and prevent influenza infections,” principal investigator Dr. Emily Bruce, from the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine, said in the SWNS report.
While investigating how influenza replicates, researchers discovered that different flu strains use completely different strategies to infiltrate human cells. (iStock)
While several flu strains cause illness, H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses are the most common. However, current flu tests cannot differentiate between them, and clinical treatments are identical for both.
Although vaccines and antivirals are available, Bruce noted a “dire” need for better medications to stop the virus from spreading cell to xxcell.
“You don’t get sick when a virus is in one cell,” he noted. “You get sick because a virus replicates itself and goes into many more cells.”
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The study, which was published in The Journal of Virology, originally aimed to map how viral RNA segments are transported within cells to create new viral particles.
The team used H1N1 and H3N2 viruses isolated from the nasal passages of positive patients in 2022.
Clinical treatments remain identical for both primary strains of the flu virus. (iStock)
During the investigation, the team unexpectedly stumbled upon a cellular pathway that blocked the virus from entering lung cells, SWNS reported.
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The data revealed that when a specific human protein called Rab11B was depleted, H3N2 viruses failed to enter human lung cells. H1N1 viruses were completely unaffected.
Using reverse genetics, the team mapped this defect and uncovered a brand-new, H3N2-specific role for Rab11B during viral entry.
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This discovery challenged the scientific assumption that all flu viruses enter cells the same way.
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“Viruses are like pirates from different countries hijacking someone’s ship,” Bruce said. “Different viruses, like different types of pirates, use different methods to get onboard.”
This discovery challenged the scientific assumption that all flu viruses enter cells the same way. (iStock)
“We had previously thought that all flu viruses used the same way to get into a cell, but we discovered that this is not true,” she went on. “H1N1 and H3N2 need different proteins to get in, and if you get rid of the right protein, a specific virus can’t get in.”
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While these findings identify a critical cellular pathway for viral entry, the study was conducted using isolated cells, the researchers acknowledged.
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Further research is needed to determine whether blocking the protein is safe and effective within a live, complex human respiratory system.
Bruce and the team hope to conduct further research to determine whether this Rab11B-dependency is a fundamental property of H3N2, or if it’s a trait unique to currently circulating flu strains.
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Eating processed meat like ham, sausage and bacon may be linked to a higher risk of certain types of cancer, according to new research.
While health organizations have already confirmed that processed meat can contribute to colon cancer, this study looked closer at cancers in the upper digestive tract, where the link has historically been less clear.
To understand these connections, researchers from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), one of the world’s largest long-term nutrition and cancer cohorts, tracked the health and diets of 450,112 people across Europe for an average of 14 years.
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The study group included 131,426 men and 318,686 women, according to the study’s press release.
During the follow-up period, 876 people developed stomach cancer and 215 people developed esophageal adenocarcinoma, which is cancer of the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.
For female participants, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk of developing the disease. (iStock)
Researchers tracked where the stomach cancers grew, separating them into the upper part of the stomach near the throat and the lower part of the stomach.
The researchers also sorted the tumors into two categories based on how the cancer cells appeared under a microscope: intestinal, which forms more organized structures, and diffuse, in which the cells are more scattered throughout the tissue.
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After adjusting for other lifestyle factors, the researchers found that for every extra 30 grams of processed meat a person ate per day, their overall risk of stomach cancer went up by 9%. Eating that same extra 30 grams a day was also linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
A standard single slice of regular deli-sliced ham or lunch meat averages around 28 grams, according to USDA data and nutritional tracking databases.
An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken and turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach. (iStock)
An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken or turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach, the researchers noted.
The study also revealed differences between men and women. For male participants, only processed meat showed a clear, statistically significant link to a higher risk of stomach cancer. For female participants, however, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk.
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These findings align with global health benchmarks, particularly those established by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The agency has long classified processed meat as a known human carcinogen, primarily due to its strong, well-documented links to colorectal cancer.
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However, health organizations have also consistently pointed to a potential, yet less definitive, relationship between these meats and cancers of the stomach.
Eating 30 grams of processed meat a day, or the equivalent to one slice of ham, was linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. (iStock)
Further scientific investigation is needed to confirm the findings and to account for other underlying risk factors, such as certain stomach infections, which could interact with dietary habits.
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A key limitation of the study is its reliance on self-reported diets, which can sometimes lead to inaccuracies in how participants recall their meat consumption over time, the researchers noted.
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The findings were published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers requesting comment.
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