Holidays and special occasions

Living with dementia or caregiving can present new ways of thinking about holidays and celebrations.

The good news is that it can still be possible to be a part of significant moments with friends and family, to celebrate people and relationships.

As you line up events — whether holiday parties, weddings, birthdays, or even funerals — remember to plan early, set realistic expectations and simplify as required.

Here are tips for engaging in holidays and events.

Overall holiday and occasion tips

• If you can't join in person, consider a video chat or phone call if that works for the person living with dementia.
• Also consider an all-virtual celebration if that works for everyone.
• Celebrate only the occasions and traditions that are most important to you, your family and friends.

Timing and scale tips

• Keep celebrations short. At longer gatherings, consider attending for only the most meaningful part of the event.
• Plan festivities on a day and time that suits the person or people with dementia.
• Plan smaller get-togethers. This will minimize stress and feelings of being overwhelmed.
• If meeting in person, include a quiet area where a person can be alone if needed. Offer to sit with them to help them feel comfortable.
• If meeting online, consider time or flexibility for screen breaks.

Place and technology tips

• If meeting in person, choose familiar places for events to help avoid confusion.
• If meeting online, try to use familiar technology that automatically displays attendee names.

Participation tips

• If you are a person living with dementia, think about what you would most like to do for preparations and communicate that if possible. Some people like baking, making cards, choosing music or wrapping gifts, but there are many other ways to contribute to a gathering.
• If you are a care partner, involve the person living with dementia in prep tasks they enjoy.
• Keep everyone's favourite foods in mind, while also being mindful that too much rich food can result in discomfort.
• If gifting is part of the celebration, make sure everyone is included. 
• During the event, spend time looking at old family photographs or singing favourite songs.

Self-care tips

• Don’t overdo it. It may be tempting — whether you are a care partner or a person living with dementia— to do everything or try to keep traditions from previous years going. But it’s important to slow down and take time for yourself.
• Ask a friend or family member to help with shopping or cooking — and don’t refuse help if it’s offered!
• Assign specific tasks to your friends and relatives.
• Adjust your priorities and expectations. How urgent is this?
• Recognize the important work you do and how much you mean to the person you’re caring for, or the person who cares for you.

Other tips

It’s also a good idea during the holidays to make a list of doctors or walk-in clinics and pharmacies that are open in case of an emergency. And if you or another person is on medication, make sure you have enough on hand to get through any pharmacy closures.

Emotionally, special occasions can bring up feelings of joy or sadness. Try to accept the feelings that come up for you and others. 

If a celebration reminds a person living with dementia of events from the past, they may speak of people and things from that time. Rather than shifting the conversation to the present, meet them where they are.

Above all, remember that living with dementia doesn't diminish a person's importance in the family — or eliminate the need to include them in gatherings. 

This webpage was last updated on October 1, 2026. If you have comments, questions or concerns about this webpage, please contact [email protected].