Throughout the many years that I worked in memory care communities; my favorite time of the year was summertime. The days were not only longer, but the weather was warm, and the residents could enjoy a variety of gratifying activities outdoors.
I used to love watching the caregivers helping our residents plant flowers and tend to the vegetables that they had planted in the garden boxes that were built for them in our courtyard. There was also an outdoor aviary where they seemed to enjoy watching the birds playing and singing in perfect harmony to one another. Some of the residents would hum along with them. One could tell that these activities were creating invaluable moments of joy and purpose for them. Sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors can offer a person with Alzheimer’s disease many opportunities for pleasurable stimulation and trigger wonderful memories from their past.
Family members would often take their loved ones out during the warm summer months for special outings such as family picnics or to the local farmer’s market. Although summertime presented many exclusive events that could not be done in the colder weather, it did not come without its own set of dangers.
When people suffer from even moderate Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, their cognitive abilities continue to decline. By now, the damage to the brain has spread to areas that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and conscious thought, making it nearly impossible for them to verbalize if they are being impacted by the heat; therefore, it was vital for our caregivers and family members to take extra precautions during the hot summer months not to endanger the residents from exposure to the heat.
Older adults, and particularly individuals who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are at a much higher risk during hot weather than younger people. As we age, we lose the ability to control our body temperature. Our bodies also have a decreased ability to perspire. Sudden temperature changes are not easy to adjust to for older adults, leaving them vulnerable to dehydration, heat-related illnesses, heatstroke, and sunburn.
Other reasons why seniors are more prone to heat stress than the general population, according to the Centers for Disease Control, are chronic medical conditions, including cognitive impairment, which can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, as well as medications they may be taking, which can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate heat.
To ensure that people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can enjoy outdoor activities and always stay comfortable and safe during the summer heat, there are many protective measures that can be put in place.
1. To stay hydrated, offer plenty of fluids and cool foods. Staying hydrated can keep body temperatures down and prevent dehydration. Drink plenty of water – at least 8 glasses per day. Infuse the water with fruit if your loved one prefers flavor. Avoid soda, caffeine, and alcohol. People with dementia often don’t know that they are thirsty, so if they have no interest in drinking fluids, try offering them popsicles, fruit, or smoothies instead to keep cool.
2. Stay as cool as possible. The hottest time of the day is typically between 11 a.m through 3 p.m. Avoid outings during these peak sun times, and opt to stay in a cooler, air-conditioned environment. This can help prevent heat stress and stroke as well as prevent sunburn and keep your loved one from becoming agitated and aggressive due to being miserably hot and uncomfortable.
3. Have your loved one dress in lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing in natural fibers, such as cotton.
4. Have them wear hats, sunglasses and carry lightweight umbrellas to keep them from the direct sun.
5. Try to schedule doctor’s appointments during the early morning hours and limit the amount of time they spend outside.
6. Provide them with cool showers or sponge baths.
7. Cooling fans that are easy to carry are available to take along.
8. Go for walks during the early morning hours of the day.
Pay close attention to any of the following warning signs that your loved one might be in Distress
During extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness and recommended first aid steps. Some of these symptoms and steps are listed below.
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.
- Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen and Heavy sweating.
- First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water.Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.
Heat Exhaustion
- Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,
- First Aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well-air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have the person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If the person vomits more than once,Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour
Heat Stroke
- Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.
- First Aid:Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heatstroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do NOT give fluids.
Using a fan to blow air in someone’s direction may actually make them hotter if heat index temperatures are above the 90s. For more information on all of these heat related illnesses, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site.