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Advice by Alicia: Caregiver Strategies to Fight Winter Woes

Friday, November 30, 2018

Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].

Q: I know that winter is a difficult time for most seniors, but are there additional risks for people with dementia?

A: The winter months aren’t fun for most of us, particularly senior adults. That’s one of the reasons you see so many “snowbirds” flocking to Florida once the cold winds blows. Seniors with dementia have additional risks in wintertime that caregivers must take into consideration. Here are some of the biggest issues facing caregivers and their loved ones at this time, as well as some strategies for dealing with them.

Winter weather. Ice, snow and sleet increase the risk of falls for seniors in winter overall. Seniors with dementia often don’t know what time of year it is, and may not remember to dress appropriately for the weather. This is particularly dangerous because seniors are at risk for hypothermia and frostbite if exposed to cold for too long.

Strategies for caregivers: Make sure hats, scarves, gloves, coats and appropriate footwear are visible so your loved one can easily see them, such as on a hook next to the door. Also be sure your home is warm enough (above 65 degrees) because extremely sensitive seniors can develop hypothermia, even indoors.

Sundowning. Our body’s internal clock, the circadian rhythm, can get disrupted by winter’s low light levels. Seniors who experience sundowning (confusion, increased agitation and memory loss) may do so more frequently during the winter months.

Strategies for caregivers: Make sure you have a regular routine for your loved one and stick to it as much as possible. Be sure there are enough lights in your house and make your home a soothing, welcoming environment in the evenings to provide a sense of calm for your loved one.

Sniffles and sickness.

Wintertime bugs like the cold and flu affect seniors at a greater rate due to their weaker immune systems.

Strategies for caregivers: The best thing you can do for your senior loved one is to make sure they get a flu shot, be sure that they wash their hands regularly (put out bottles of hand sanitizer) and ask friends and family who aren’t feeling 100 percent to visit another time.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Also known as the “Wintertime Blues”, this is seasonal depression that’s due to decreased daylight. Couple this with the isolation that tends to happen in the wintertime, and it’s a perfect recipe for loneliness, sadness and generally poor emotional health.

Strategies for caregivers: Open your blinds during the day to let sunlight in as much as possible. You can also consider purchasing a full-spectrum “light box” that simulates sunlight and is used for light therapy. You may also wish to speak to your loved one’s doctor to see if an antidepressant may help.

While wintertime brings its own unique issues for seniors with dementia and their caregivers, a little preparation and patience can help you and your loved one weather these chilly months and enjoy everything the season has to offer.

Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.

We understand the concern families feel about ensuring quality of life for loved ones. That’s why, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we offer a wellness-centered lifestyle that focuses on reinforcing individual strength so residents enjoy heightened confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, we provide everything residents need to thrive and rediscover a life with purpose.

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At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents each and every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.

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