Preparing holiday visitors

To help visitors prepare for holiday time with a person with dementia:

• Provide an update. Let guests know ahead of time about any changes in behavior or memory since their last visit. Providing a recent photo can help people prepare for changes in appearance.
• Offer communication tips. Suggest ways for guests to listen patiently, such as not criticizing repeated comments, not correcting errors and not interrupting.
• Suggest activities. Tell guests ahead of time what activities you have planned or suggest something they might bring, such as a photo album.