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Safety Tips for the Dog Days of Summer

Thursday, July 15, 2021

The dog days of summer have arrived, bringing picnics, cookouts, festivals, events and so much more. This is an excellent time of year to get out of your house and create memories to cherish, but if you’re the caregiver of a senior loved one – particularly one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia – the season can also bring with it a lot of worry. On one hand, summertime is perfect for stimulating the senses, getting healthy doses of fresh air and vitamin D and socially connecting with others. On the other hand, the summer heat can carry a lot of dangers for older individuals.

 

“Keeping your senior loved one with dementia safe and happy during the summer months is completely possible, but it does mean that you have to plan ahead and prepare,” says Chrissy Ross, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee. “Older adults’ bodies can’t process the heat as well as younger people, which makes it easier for them to develop issues like heatstroke and dehydration. With dementia, the individual may not recognize the symptoms of these issues, or they may not be able to communicate their needs to their caregivers, so it’s doubly important for loved ones to pay attention to safety.”

 

This doesn’t mean, Chrissy says, that you have to keep your loved one with dementia inside and out of the heat at all times. “Summer is a lovely time of year, and there are so many events and activities going on that your loved one can and should enjoy,” she says. “Keeping your loved one safe doesn’t have to involve a huge, complicated plan. You simply need to be aware of the environment you’re in and take steps to be prepared.”

 

Why Getting Outside Is So Important

Can we all agree that it’s nice to be outside when the weather is, well, nice? Most of us enjoy being outside in the fresh air when it’s sunny and not terribly hot. It boosts our moods, improves our circadian rhythm, is usually paired with some sort of physical activity (which has its own benefits) and is one of the best sources of vitamin D. Plus, studies have shown that fresh air actually has antibacterial properties – part of why it feels so good when we open up the windows after a long, cold winter. In other words, being outside makes us happier, healthier people.

 

For individuals with dementia, emotional and mental well-being are just as important as their physical well-being. Being outside in nature is a great way to nurture and feed all sides of their health. Activities that involve one or more senses cause brains to be stimulated in a variety of ways, which is an essential part of dementia treatment. The outdoors has all sorts of stimuli: sound, sight, smell, hearing and even taste, if you choose to pair summer foods with a summertime activity. And you don’t have to be doing anything strenuous – you and your loved one can just be. Simply sitting quietly on your back porch can provide all these benefits we’ve listed and more for your loved one with dementia.

 

Summer Safety Tips

Making sure your loved one with dementia is safe during the summer months is less complicated and easier than you may think. Most, if not all, of the tips we list below are common sense and only require a little (emphasis on little) extra planning on your part. In fact, these all may be things you’re already doing to help protect your loved one – and yourself, too.

 

1. Drink more water.

It’s easy to get dehydrated in the summer. Most people in general don’t drink enough water to keep them hydrated, which can be a problem for seniors especially. A senior body can become dehydrated much faster than a younger individual due to a variety of factors. Seniors, especially those with dementia, may not realize they’re thirsty, which can further exacerbate the situation. In fact, if you’re properly dehydrated, you shouldn’t be thirsty. Caregivers should ensure that hydration is a priority in summertime. Not just when you’re out and about – always make sure you have a water bottle or two that your loved one can sip from regularly – but in the house, as well. There are all sorts of delicious summertime beverages and water-rich food items that are especially tantalizing in summer. Make sure there’s decaffeinated and low-sugar options available of your loved one’s favorite beverage (although water is preferable), and serve hydrating foods like watermelon, strawberries or other fresh fruits and vegetables.

 

2. Understand how heat affects your loved one’s medications.

Seniors with dementia often take a lot of medications. Some of these may cause your loved one to become overheated quickly, or the medicines might not work as well during the hot months. Consider scheduling an appointment with your loved one’s doctor to make sure you understand if and how the heat will affect any medication your loved one is taking.

 

3. Do outside activities during the cool part of the day.

The middle of the day – usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – is the hottest time of the day, so if you plan on doing outdoor activities, it’s a good idea to do them first thing in the morning or later in the evening. If you do go out in the late morning or early afternoon, try to stick to shady areas and make sure you and your loved one have opportunities to stay cool.

 

4. Service your HVAC.

If you haven’t already done so, call a specialist to come and give your AC a yearly tune up. The last thing you want is for your air conditioner to clunk out during a heatwave. If you don’t have central air in your home, be sure there are fans in every room, and that windows have heavy drapes or shades that can be shut to keep rooms cool. You may also want to invest in a window unit or portable air conditioner to use in the rooms you’re most frequently in.

 

5. Dress appropriately.

Make sure that all heavy clothes are put out of sight – individuals with dementia may not know what season it is and could potentially dress themselves with sweaters and long pants, which will quickly leave them overheated. You’ll want to make sure your loved one has a variety of clothes in light-colored, natural fabrics that are cooler and better at wicking away sweat. Be sure that clothing is suitably loose and flowing in order to help breathability and circulation.

 

6. Protect your skin.

Seniors’ skin gets more fragile as they age, which increases the risk of skin cancer and sunburn. Although shorts and tank tops may seem like a good option to keep cool, they also expose skin to burning sun, which can be painful and dangerous. Be sure that your loved one wears sunscreen (and reapply it as necessary when you’re outside). A big hat and sunglasses will protect their heads and eyes. Of course, do your best to stay in the shade when you’re out of doors to even further minimize the risks.

 

7. Know what to look for.

If your loved one is sweating profusely, experiencing weakness and headaches or nausea and vomiting, he or she has developed heat exhaustion. This can quickly lead to heatstroke, which can be life-threatening. If you notice symptoms in your loved one, quickly take them to a cool place, get them to drink something cool and use washcloths and cool water to bring their body temperature down quickly. If your loved one suddenly stops sweating, has a rapid pulse and heavy breathing or has dry and flushed skin or sudden personality changes, call 911 immediately.

 

Following these easy safety tips will help you and your senior loved one with dementia spend many happy quality moments together this summer.

 

Peace of Mind for Cape Cod Seniors and Their Families

Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community creates a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, respects individual preferences and makes a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.

 

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Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee offers compassionate dementia care and unique programs that are tailored to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of each resident – throughout every stage of disease progression. Residents can age in place comfortably and with dignity, while families gain peace of mind.

 

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At Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee, we offer a program of care and services that celebrates life and supports individual strengths. Our compassionate and engaging approach adapts to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment.

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