When you live alone, a holiday gathering can overload the senses. Add poor hearing and eyesight, memory decline, and a break from routine to the mix, and a holiday gathering — no matter how fun — can be tough. Here are Kilpatrick’s suggestions, along with one of ours, for easing the stress:

Supporting a loved one with mental health issues during the holiday season can be challenging, but it’s also a time when your care and understanding can make a profound difference.