Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season.

The holiday season is upon us, and the weather looks like it may be showing it as well this week. While we picture holidays being a time of togetherness, joy, celebrations, and traditions- it can bring on a whole new set of emotions when our loved ones are aging, especially if living with brain changes. Extra stress, feelings of anger, resentment, grief, even isolation may be present. We are here to tell you that's okay. When supporting your care partner, holidays may need to look a little different in order for all to find joy in the season.

What is the meaning of the holidays for you? Take a few minutes to sit down and think about what you really want: connection, family, love, joy, memories, etc, and put that at the top of your list - how can you make this happen?

• If it's family, maybe focus on more one-on-one time with each member, or small groups. Intimate settings may help us better connect and navigate communication snags.

• Is it celebrating with all your favorite foods? If your loved one wants to help in the kitchen but may not be able to distinguish salt vs sugar, or for safety may not be able to use knives or the stove, what can they do? Can you measure the ingredients out and have them pour them in? We encourage you to still build these memories, and by slowing down our normal go-go-go lives, we believe we can actually find more ways to connect and be present with one another.

• Is it having the grandkids over and seeing the joy of opening presents? This may be super fun and exciting for you, and it may be overstimulating for your loved one. Plan ahead, is there a room that can be setup as a quiet room? Plan to have some ambient lighting, soothing music/silence/tv/etc where your loved one can find some peace and reset a little bit.

There are great resources available to help brainstorm different ways to change up your holidays without losing what the meaning is for you. It's time to get creative and give yourself permission to try something new. Here are some resources to help you think outside the box: