Top tips: celebrating Christmas with loved ones with dementia

Key points:

• The festive season is fast approaching, with experts highlighting the importance of connection for people with dementia
• The National Dementia Helpline can provide people with dementia and their families with support, while the Lifeline Helpline helps Aussies who are struggling in other ways
• Ending Loneliness Together Scientific Chair Associate Professor Michelle Lim emphasised how Australians may ‘be surrounded by many people, but still feel lonely’

With Christmas Day less than a week away, experts are urging Australians to be aware of possible additional stressors, especially for people with dementia. 

Changes in routine, such as attending loud events or meeting with guests can make a person with dementia feel confused, more anxious, agitated and uncomfortable, leading to further changes in behaviour. 

Approximately 411,000 people in Australia live with dementia, as per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 

To ensure your loved one is comfortable during social gatherings with different people and food, organising some things in advance and including them in activities could be beneficial. 

Additionally, providing a safe, quiet area for a loved one with dementia to go to if the setting becomes too overwhelming can help them manage the situation. 

To reduce anxiety for people with dementia, try to avoid:

• crowds of people, especially as they may expect the person with dementia to remember them;
• noise, loud conversations and loud music;
• changes in light intensity;
• overindulgence in rich foods or drinks; and
• changes to regular routines and sleep patterns.

While looking after older people with dementia is important, informing guests or hosts in advance that your loved one has dementia can reduce pressure and increase understanding if they don’t appear to engage with others as expected. 

Allowing your loved one with dementia to engage in low-pressure Christmas activities, such as hanging baubles on the tree or writing Christmas cards with others, can encourage independence and bonding.

Preparing for Christmas to include people with dementia can help ensure everyone has a good time and has their needs met. Read more about helping people with dementia at social gatherings in this Aged Care Guide. 

However, Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate Anthony Pollock emphasised the value of connecting with others and using dedicated helplines if you need extra support.

“I would really encourage not only people living with dementia, but I encourage family and loved ones to reach out and to have a chat if they need it,” he said.

“You never know when an emotion is going to hit you or you feel overwhelmed as the person being diagnosed or as a family member caring for someone, so it’s extremely important that you can contact someone at midnight or 2am because there might not be anyone else to talk to.”

Carers of people with dementia may experience greater levels of stress but want specific advice or support related to caring for someone with dementia and not know where to turn.

Dementia Australia Chief Executive Officer Professor Tanya Buchanan said the festive season may cause some Australians to feel lonely, despite attending events. 

“The holidays can be a difficult and challenging time for people living with dementia, their carers and loved ones with changes in routine or environment, busy social gatherings and travel,” she said.

“No one needs to face dementia alone, especially during the holidays. Our highly trained National Dementia Helpline Advisors are here 24/7 to provide information, advice and support to people impacted by dementia or anyone who may have concerns about cognitive changes in themselves or loved ones.”

Call the free National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 to talk with an expert in dementia or visit the Dementia Australia website to live chat or email the advisors online. 

While the National Dementia Helpline is dedicated to supporting people with dementia and their families, other helplines such as Lifeline can provide essential conversations for people struggling in Australia. 

Lifeline Chief Executive Officer Colin Seery explained help is available from not-for-profit organisations, such as Lifeline, that provide support all year round.

“If you find the holiday season challenging, you’re not alone. In fact, the Christmas period is Lifeline’s busiest time of year,” he said.

“Last December, we received an average of one call every 30 seconds. Across our phone, text and chat crisis support services, we received almost 150,000 contacts.”

More than one in 10 older Australians report feeling lonely, as per recent Australian Insitute of Health and Welfare data. 

Loneliness and the pressures of Christmas can affect anyone and can creep up unexpectedly, even for people engaging in festive celebrations. 

Ending Loneliness Together Scientific Chair Associate Professor Michelle Lim expressed the importance of understanding the reality of loneliness and how it can affect anyone.  

“It is important to understand that the experience of loneliness is not the same as being alone. It is possible to spend time by yourself but not feel lonely. Equally, you can be surrounded by many people, but still feel lonely,” she said.

“Few people openly admit to feeling lonely but at least a quarter of our adult population are reporting persistent loneliness in 2024.”

If you’re struggling and need some support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or visit the Lifeline website for more information. 

How are you planning to stay connected with others this festive season?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

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