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 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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An Alabama woman has successfully received a gene-edited pig kidney transplant at NYU Langone Health.

This was the seventh pig organ transplant completed by NYU Langone surgeons.

Towana Looney, 53, miraculously walked out of the hospital just a few days following the procedure.

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In an NYU Langone press conference, Looney expressed feeling “overjoyed” and “blessed to have received this gift – a second chance at life.”

“I want to give courage to those out there on dialysis,” she said.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst and NYU Langone clinical professor of medicine, joined “America Reports” on Wednesday to share how this should bring hope for the future of transplant medicine.

“We have a great shortage of body organs,” he said. “And even if we get people to donate, we’re still going to have a big shortage … so we’ve got to do something.”

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“We can bio-engineer them, or we can use them from other species, [which is] called xenotransplant.”

Siegel commended Looney on her “incredible” journey, which began when she donated her own kidney to her mother 25 years ago.

“She is looking for any other possibility, any other chance, at having a normal life again.”

Looney then developed a rare complication while pregnant, according to Siegel, which led to kidney failure.

NYU Langone Transplant Institute Director Dr. Robert Montgomery called Looney a “hero” while speaking to Siegel in a separate interview.

Dr. Marc Siegel joined “America Reports” to discuss NYU Langone’s successful pig kidney transplant. (Fox News)

“She gave the gift of life to her mother,” he said. “She’s someone who already paid a really significant price for an incredible act of generosity.”

“She is looking for any other possibility, any other chance, at having a normal life again.”

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Montgomery shared that he thinks Looney will “change the face of transplantation.”

According to Siegel, Montgomery is one to know about the struggle of waiting for a donated organ, since he himself had a heart transplant after surviving 30 cardiac arrests.

Dr. Robert Montgomery called Looney “one of those pioneers” in transplantation medicine. (Fox News)

“My epiphany in living through that – and realizing that I probably wouldn’t live through it – was that we needed another source of organs,” said Montgomery, noting that “far less” than 1% of people who die every year are eligible to be an organ donor.

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“At the same time, the number of people who can benefit from an organ transplant continues to increase,” he added.

Out of the seven pig organ transplants that have been performed at NYU Langone, Siegel confirmed that “this one worked” to the extent that Looney was able to walk out of the hospital.

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Montgomery explained to Siegel that this is because the kidney had been modified with 10 genetic modifications.

“This is going to be a big deal when we get past the rejections,” Siegel said. (Joe Carrotta via NYU Langone Health)

The “key” now, according to the doctor, is to focus on immunology to help ensure that Looney’s immune system doesn’t reject the kidney.

“That’s why going forward, in the future, this is going to be a big deal when we get past the rejections,” Siegel added.

“This is the future.”

Out of the 100,000 people awaiting an organ transplant each year, 80,000 of them are waiting for kidneys, according to Siegel, but this type of transplant could also extend to hearts and livers.

“This is the future,” he said.

The accessibility of lab-manufactured, or bio-engineered, organs is “much farther away” than xenotransplantation, which is “in front of us now,” Montgomery added.