The festive season is traditionally a time for socialising and sharing a meal with family and friends. While this can be an exciting time for many, the change to routine and unfamiliar surroundings can be stressful, both for the person living with dementia and the carer.

Here are six tips to help everyone have an enjoyable Christmas.

1. Familiar traditions: Include a familiar holiday tradition. For example, at the start of mealtimes, do whatever may be usual for your family like, saying grace, making a toast, sharing bon bons or wishing everyone a merry Christmas before eating. This can provide a social cue that food is coming, and it’s time to eat.
   
   
2. Seating arrangements: When sitting down, don’t necessarily stick to traditional seat placements but consider the needs of the person with dementia. Perhaps seat the person with dementia where they can see as much as possible and next to the best person to help if needed.
   
   
3. The Christmas table: Keep table settings simple and not overcluttered, and make sure anything needed is within easy reach. Try to reduce noise levels, have one conversation at a time, maybe don’t have the Christmas music on if people are talking.
   
   
4. The Christmas dinner: When eating, use contrasting colours for food and crockery and have a well-lit area so the meal is easy to see and eat. Including smaller portions sizes, softer foods and finger food options can also make the experience easier for the person with dementia. Depending on the stage of dementia, provide simple mealtime cues such as showing the person you are picking up your knife and fork, or place the knife and fork in their hand.
   
   
5. Lighting: Consider the lighting of the spaces where you are celebrating. Older people and people with dementia tend to need brighter light, however, also consider glare and shadows which may be confusing for the person with dementia.
   
   
6. Take care of yourself: In the holiday period, which can be busier than usual with social engagement, try and find time and space for yourself. This might include some exercise, meditation or relaxation techniques that may help with sleep or promote feelings of calm.

These tips have been developed by HammondCare’s The Dementia Centre.