Hanukkah is a time of joy and celebration, but can feel overwhelming when you’re living with dementia. With planning and the support of our Admiral Nurses, you can help ensure everyone feels included and create moments of real comfort.
Hanukkah is a time of joy, reflection and connection – but when someone is living with dementia, joining in with celebrations can feel overwhelming. However, with some thoughtful planning, you can help them feel included and create moments that bring real comfort.
Whether you’re caring for someone at home or supporting a family member from a distance, our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses are here to help.
“Festive times can add more pressure and challenge, and Admiral Nurses provide a sounding board when you are concerned. Please just ring our Helpline – no question is a daft question.”
– Jane, Admiral Nurse.
Traditions matter. But dementia can make it harder to take part in the way someone used to.
The answer is adapting, not abandoning. Think about which parts of Hanukkah mean the most to the person you’re caring for. Is it lighting the menorah? The smell of your favourite food? Or just being with family?
Start there. You don’t have to do everything – focus on what brings you joy.
The smells and tastes of Hanukkah can bring back powerful memories of past celebrations. If the person you’re caring for is able, involve them in preparing food. Even simple tasks like stirring or arranging a plate can create feelings of purpose and connection.
Music is another way to spark joy and memory, and can have huge benefits for the brain. Singing a familiar Hanukkah song together, even if the person can only remember a few lines, can be enough to evoke past times.
“Admiral Nurses can talk about many issues that might arise around Hannukah, such as eating, drinking, travel, continence, what to look out for if the person with dementia is not quite themselves, and who to contact in an emergency.”
– Jane, Admiral Nurse
Lighting the menorah is often the heart of Hanukkah. For someone with dementia, watching might be enough. But if they want to join in, think about what support could help.
You could offer gentle hand-over-hand guidance. And if there’s a risk around flames, LED candles work just as well.
Family celebrations are lovely, but they can be exhausting for people living with dementia. Too much noise and too many faces can quickly become overwhelming.
Think about timing – celebrations often work better earlier in the day when the person is less tired. Keep gatherings short if needed. Make sure there’s somewhere quiet to escape to.
You know your loved one best, but if the things you are trying aren’t working, it’s easy to feel upset and frustrated.
“We can discuss issues that a person with dementia may struggle with, like noise and overstimulation or being in a large group, and look together at ways to get the best out of these important family events.”
– Jane, Admiral Nurse
There’s often pressure for big celebrations to be perfect and to follow past traditions to the letter. But dementia changes things, so festivities may need to change too. What matters is that your loved one feels safe and connected.
Maybe this year’s Hanukkah looks different – and that’s okay. Perhaps you could celebrate for one evening instead of eight, or provide the person with meals that they eat day to day if they no longer enjoy traditional Hannukah foods. Or you could focus on simple moments like simply being together as a family.
Caring for someone with dementia during celebrations can feel difficult. You might worry about getting things wrong or feel worn out trying to make everything work. You might feel lonely if your caring responsibilities mean missing out on special occasions and frustrated if others seem not to understand.
That’s where Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses come in. They are specialist dementia nurses who support the whole family. They can help you think through ideas, talk about the hard bits, and remind you that asking for help is okay.
You can get support online, on the phone or in person. Find out more.
Whether you have a question that needs an immediate answer or need emotional support when life feels overwhelming, these are the ways our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses can support you.
Doctors typically use the word ‘dementia’ to describe common symptoms – such as memory loss, confusion, and problems with speech and understanding – that get worse over time. Each type of dementia stops a person’s brain cells (neurones) working properly in specific areas, affecting their ability to remember, think and speak.
Head of Research and Publications at Dementia UK, Dr. Karen Harrison Dening, introduces this blog post pointing to why meaningful activities are so important for someone with dementia.
Read personal stories from people living with a diagnosis, their family members and friends - as well as our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses.
