Dementia & Christmas
Dementia & Christmas Outings: Making the Season Feel Safe and Joyful
Christmas outings can be a beautiful way to stay connected but for a person living with dementia, they can also bring extra noise, crowds and confusion. A little planning can make a world of difference.
In my office families often arrive with many questions but my favourite part of our time together is always memory lane. So many families tell me that specialists talk around their loved one, not with them. But when we sit together everyone matters. Everyone shares.
Even when a person with dementia cannot contribute to the practical decisions, they can almost always take us back in time to stories of business successes, adventures, people they have met or the things they loved as a young person. And when those memories come alive, the whole room softens. There is a deeper breath, a moment of reconnection and the person with dementia leaves feeling truly seen and heard.
The same approach can bring comfort and connection to Christmas outings.
Here are 3 gentle strategies to support a calmer, more meaningful festive experience:
✨ 1. Keep it Simple and Familiar: Choose places that feel known and predictable. Familiar settings help reduce anxiety and support a sense of safety.
✨ 2. Plan Around Their Best Time of Day: Everyone has a “sweet spot”. For many, mornings offer clearer thinking and more energy. Build outings around when your loved one is most settled.
✨ 3. Create Space to Rest and Retreat: Have a quiet space in mind where they can step away if things become overwhelming. Even a short walk outside can reset the moment.
And do not underestimate the comfort that comes from a memory box.
Just like in session, going back in time together can transform the day. A small collection of photos, familiar scents, textures or handwritten notes can bring grounding reassurance during holiday busyness. It is a reminder of who they are, what they love and the stories that still matter deeply.
This season it is not about doing more. It is about creating warm, safe, connected experiences that honour their pace.
If you want to talk through a strategy to use with your loved one. Then reach out today. We can navigate the path together- Hannah @nextdoorcounselling.