This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about the mental and emotional side of the holiday season, since the holiday spirit is a state of mind. One recommendation for beating the holiday blues is to reach out to others. A group that might appreciate some support at this time of year is people with Alzheimer’s disease and the people who care for them.

Peggy Higgins, education director for the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says the disease can be very isolating for both patients and their caretakers, so visits are often appreciated. Just be sure to call first and schedule a visit instead of just dropping in. Surprise visits generally don’t go well. Talk to the caretaker about bringing a sorting project, such as photos to look through or pieces of cloth. And don’t limit your visits to the holiday season.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/patientcare/medicalservices/psych/child.html to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in child and adolescent psychiatry.