It was at large gatherings that the Holladay family first noticed their mother was suffering from dementia. She couldn't find the bathroom in a family member's home.
She sat at the edges of a party, too confused to interact with the family.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer's followed for the now 75-year-old woman.
The signs of early dementia may be disguised during the year, when sufferers can rely on habit. But mess with the routine - as the holidays do - and the signals become obvious, Foster said.
Other real-life examples of dementia surfacing around the holidays: A patient who forgot to buy presents for all of her grandchildren.
Another who bought every grandchild, boys and girls, the same gift. A father who flew to meet his son for Christmas and didn't recognize him at the airport.
Stick with the familiar. Maintain routines and skip strange and noisy restaurants.
* Keep it small. Large family get togethers "become too disruptive," Genebach said.
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