Good morning. The grocery list for Thursday is already two pages long, and I haven’t even gotten to the pie yet.
In this issue:
- The Thanksgiving prep nobody talks about
- Worth Knowing: laughter as medicine, Netflix without murder, and Open Enrollment’s ticking clock
- From the Archives: managing sundowning during the holidays
- Slice of Life: the sound of a kitchen on Thursday morning
Thanksgiving prep has a whole second layer that nobody puts on the checklist. Not the turkey. Not the table. The stuff that actually keeps you safe and sane through the holiday.
1. Pack your medication travel kit. If you’re traveling, keep all medications in your carry-on — never a checked bag. Bring a two-day extra supply in case of delays. And carry a written list of every medication, dosage, and your doctor’s phone number. TSA allows medically necessary liquids in reasonable quantities; just declare them at the checkpoint.
2. The family conversation. Here’s the thing nobody warns you about: Thanksgiving is when adult children notice changes in their parents. If you’re the parent and someone brings up driving, living alone, or “the plan,” try not to be blindsided. They’re not attacking — they’re scared. If you’re the adult child, approach it with respect, not an agenda.
3. Scam spike. The week before and after Thanksgiving sees a surge in delivery scams (“your package couldn’t be delivered”), charity scams, and gift card scams. The FTC reported a 35% increase in package delivery scam texts during the 2024 holiday season. What to do: Don’t click links in texts about deliveries. Go directly to the carrier’s website or app instead.
4. Kitchen safety. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association — three times the daily average. Keep a fire extinguisher accessible. Never leave cooking unattended. If you have mobility issues, ask for help with heavy pots of boiling water.
5. Loneliness. If you’re spending Thanksgiving alone, you’re not the only one. Meals on Wheels serves Thanksgiving meals in most areas. Call 1-888-998-6325 to find a meal near you. Many churches and community centers host free dinners — your local Area Agency on Aging can point you to one.
Find a Thanksgiving meal near you → mealsonwheelsamerica.org
😂 Laughter is literally medicine. A Mayo Clinic study found that laughing lowers cortisol, boosts your immune system, and reduces pain perception. Your doctor will never prescribe it, but maybe they should. Victoria Sinclair wrote a full breakdown of the science — turns out a good laugh can burn 40 calories in 15 minutes and improve blood flow for up to 45 minutes afterward.
📺 Netflix picks that aren’t about murder. If your Netflix home screen is nothing but true crime and you’d like something that doesn’t involve a missing person, this list is for you. Eleanor Hayes put together 10 shows and movies worth your time — feel-good stories, sharp comedies, and a few that might make you cry in a good way. No serial killers required.
📋 Open Enrollment closes in 19 days. Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7. That’s your last chance to switch your Medicare Advantage plan, change Part D prescription drug coverage, or go back to Original Medicare. Don’t auto-renew without checking — plan costs and formularies change every year. Compare plans at medicare.gov/plan-compare. Want free help? SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors walk you through it at no cost: shiphelp.org, 1-877-839-2675.
Managing Sundowning in Seniors with Dementia — by Eleanor Hayes
Holidays can trigger sundowning in people with dementia — changes in routine, loud gatherings, unfamiliar visitors, and disrupted sleep schedules. If you’re hosting someone with cognitive challenges this Thanksgiving, this guide is essential reading.
Eleanor explains what sundowning actually is (increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening), what causes it, and — most importantly — what you can do about it. One detail that stuck with me: keeping lighting consistent and avoiding sudden changes from bright to dim rooms can make a measurable difference.
I’ve sent this to two families I know who are hosting a parent with dementia this week. If that’s you, it’s worth 10 minutes.
There’s a smell that only happens once a year. It’s butter and sage and onions and something you can’t quite name — maybe it’s just the smell of a kitchen that’s been warm since 6 AM. If you close your eyes, you’re eight years old again, and someone’s telling you to stay out of the stuffing. Happy Thanksgiving week.
Until next Tuesday,
Nino
P.S. If someone in your family could use that Thanksgiving prep checklist, forward this their way. And if you’ve got a holiday tradition worth sharing, hit reply — I read every one.
