Summer brings bright mornings, warm sunshine, longer days and the perfect excuse to spend time outdoors. However, for families caring for a loved one living with Dementia, the arrival of warmer weather also brings challenges that require extra care and vigilance.
As the temperatures increase, routine tasks can become more complex and risks like heat exhaustion and dehydration can become very real concerns. Dementia can make it difficult for an individual to recognise basic bodily signals like thirst or heat. As a result, they may become dehydrated or overheat simply because they don’t realise they need a drink or need to remove an extra layer of clothing.
To help you navigate the warm months ahead, our expert team has put together a practical guide to keeping your loved one safe, cool and comfortable this summer.
Prevent Hydration
As you cannot always rely on your loved one to acknowledge when they are thirsty, here are some simple tips to prevent dehydration during the hot weather:
Make Drinks Accessible: Keep their favourite drinks close by and within their direct line of sight. Sometimes, simply seeing a drink acts as a visual prompt.
Enjoy a Drink Together: By sharing a drink with your loved one you can ensure they are drinking consistently and at mealtimes, guaranteeing they are getting the intake they need.
Prompts and Reminders: Your loved one may respond well to notes being left around the house to remind them to drink plenty of water.
Avoid Peak Sun Hours
The sun is usually at its strongest between 11:00am and 3:00pm. You should plan your day around these peak hours to avoid the hotter weather. If your loved one particularly enjoys being out in the garden or going for walks, try scheduling these activities for the early morning or the cooler evening hours. When they do go outside, make sure they are protected with high-factor sun cream such as SPF 30.
Dress Appropriately
People living with Dementia can lose the ability to judge what clothing is appropriate for the current temperature. They may insist on wearing heavy winter clothing including fleeces, coats and jackets.
When this occurs, gently assist them by laying out more lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. These clothes may be similar to their winter outfits but ensure these are much more breathable as this will help keep their body temperature regulated.
Monitor for Heat-Related Illnesses
Because a loved may not be able to tell you when they feel unwell, it’s vital to know the warning signs of heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion doesn’t typically require emergency medical help, however if it transitions to heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency. The signs to look out for include:
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Excessive Sweating and Pale and Clammy Skin
- High Temperature
- Fast Breathing or Heartbeat
- Being Very Thirsty
- Weakness
If a loved one is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down within 30 minutes and be given plenty of water.
Create a Cooler Home
During particularly warm weather, indoor temperatures can rise quickly, causing restlessness and physical discomfort. To help create a cooler living environment for your loved one you should:
Keep Blinds and Curtains Closed: Blocking out direct sunlight during the day on rooms that face the sun reduce heat from building up.
Use Fans Safely: Ensure your fans are circulating cool air rather than the warmer air from the outdoors. Also, double check to make sure cables don’t create a tripping hazard.
Create a ‘Cool Room’: If you can identify the coolest room in the house, try and encourage your loved one to spend time here during the hottest parts of the day.
Springfield is Here to Help
Managing the changing needs of a loved one with Dementia can feel overwhelming, especially during seasonal changes. At Springfield Healthcare, our highly trained care teams provide tailored, person-centred support to ensure your loved ones stay safe, healthy, and happy in their own homes all year round.
Get in touch today to discuss how we can support your family’s care journey.
