From Travel to ‘The Talk,' A Guide on Handling the Holidays As Your Loved Ones Age

The togetherness of family-centric holidays means you can't avoid noticing if your loved ones are becoming more forgetful or less mobile. Don't let these changes come as a shock — be on the lookout for signs of dementia and decline over the holidays.

This season doesn't have to be full of difficult interactions, but we'll cover some key conversations to help you prepare for the end of the year.

Given the size of the Sandwich Generation, a lot of holiday travel can become multigenerational family trips unless you're the host. Getting everyone safely and sanely from point A to point B takes a lot of caregiver energy.

If you plan to take a plane or train with an older loved one this season, follow these travel tips for seniors. This guide covers ways to maximize free airport assistance, expand your travel time cushion, and pack expertly for emergencies.

If you need to talk about taking away the keys, this caregiver's guide to senior driving has the information you need to get your point across. Not sure if you need to take your loved one's keys away? Here are some behaviors you can look for:

• Do they fasten their seatbelt?
• Do they crane forward or show signs of discomfort?
• Do they seem easily distracted behind the wheel?
• Is your loved one aware of traffic lights, road signs, pedestrians, and other motorists' reactions?
• Do they closely follow other cars or drift toward other lanes, including oncoming traffic?
• Do they react slowly or with confusion in unexpected situations?
• Do they consistently wait too long to respond to traffic lights or other driving cues?
• Do they tailgate?
• Do they complain about getting lost more than they used to?

No one wants to feel left out, and it can be disheartening to realize you don't have energy like you used to. Our guide on how to enjoy holiday visits with elderly family members covers age-inclusive games your whole family can play and offers advice on balancing the holiday rush with much-needed breaks.

There's no one-size-fits-all way of having “The Talk” with your loved one. Some of us will spend this holiday season reminding those we love that they should update their estate plan or perhaps create their first will. Others will need to broach the topic of moving into senior care.

Start by telling your loved one they're in the majority — according to the 2024 Caring.com Wills Survey, only 32% of Americans have a will. Then, transition gently into asking them about their wishes. Point out that the best way to ensure those wishes are realized is with a legal, finalized estate plan.

If your loved one is still resistant, remind them that they may live in one of the worst states to die in without a will, which could be harder on the family. Try to frame estate planning as your loved one's chance to have autonomy over their final wishes.

If you've spent this holiday realizing your loved one needs more support than you can provide, follow this guide about how to talk to your parents about assisted living. If you're still uncertain whether your loved one is ready, consider if they exhibit any of the signs they're ready for assisted living.

If your holiday trip home led to the realization that your loved one's dementia has appeared or advanced, you're not alone. Of the dementia caregivers Caring surveyed in 2024, 60% said their loved one is early in their diagnosis. Beyond that, 16% of surveyed seniors with dementia receive care in a memory care facility. 

Home safety concerns are the biggest reason caregivers opt for a memory care facility; ensure your loved one that moving memory care is your way of trying to keep them safe. To support you in this conversation, follow these steps for telling your loved one they are moving to a memory care facility.

Experiencing the holidays with aging loved ones doesn't have to be hard. Greet the season prepared to observe, talk, and take action. We hope the guides linked here can help you start any conversations you need to have.