However, Alzheimer's disease doesn't have to be a challenge during your celebration time. Here are a few tips to help minimize stress levels during this busy season:

- Alert family members about the condition of the Alzheimer’s sufferer. Because so many people are coming in from other places, they may not be aware of which stage of the disease your loved on is in. Let them know both how the patient is doing and what family members and friends can do to help alleviate any stress for you or the patient during gathering times.

- Be aware of diet and nutrition. It is important to be mindful of the patient’s food intake during gatherings. Often times, food and alcohol are very accessible during parties. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may not recall if they have allergic reactions to any type of food or if the beverage they are consuming contains alcohol. In order to prevent any unnecessary illness, be mindful of what is out and in the open.

- Find activities. It's a great idea to engage the Alzheimer's patient with holiday activities. For example, helping to decorate in the house or frosting holiday cookies may be very enjoyable for someone suffering from Alzheimer's, while also helping them to feel involved in the festivities. It could even be something as simple as having the patient assist in stamping envelopes for holiday cards to could bring about this same sense of enjoyment. Easy activities like these can create some fun things for the patient to do while spending time with loved ones.

- Ask for help. Care giving is not an easy task so during busy times, ask for help. If there are a number of things that have to get done before or on the holidays, ask someone close to you to spend time looking after the patient. This way you can handle your tasks quickly and easily without having to watch over someone at the same time. It's so important to give our loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's priority with our attention in order to keep them safe! If other duties could distract you, ask someone to step in.

- Make the environment comfortable for the Alzheimer’s sufferer. During times when a lot of family and friends will be at the house, find a separate, quiet area for the patient to retreat. Large groups can bring about feelings of anxiety and frustration for someone with Alzheimer’s disease so having someplace where they can sit quietly with someone can help to alleviate those feelings. Another idea to maintain a comfortable environment is to have your other loved ones wear nametags. Alzheimer’s sufferers can often feel very stressed or embarrassed trying to remember someone’s name. Everyone wearing a nametag, however, immediately rids this undo anxiety. Finally, have children play in a different room than where the patient is. Loud noises and a lot of commotion can be disturbing for someone with Alzheimer’s. Giving children a designated play area allows them to have their fun without accidentally upsetting the patient. 

Simple strategies like these can help keep the holiday season a joyous occasion for both you and someone suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.