Safeguards for the Season

Seasonal transitions can have a profound effect on someone living with dementia. As people age, their vascular systems can change, which can cause individuals to become cold more quickly and easily. Dementia causes changes in abilities, behaviour, and communication that, over time, may affect a person’s ability to problem solve or recognize potential hazards. Some difficulties a person with dementia might experience during colder temperatures could include: remembering to dress for cold temperatures, recognizing or expressing when they feel cold, locating winter gear, and/or putting all of their winter gear on properly.

Dementia can also cause disorientation in time and space, meaning someone may have difficulty navigating even well-known surroundings or keeping track of how long they have been outdoors. Statistics indicate that a large percentage of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia may become disoriented and lost at some point during the progression of the disease.  When a person living with dementia becomes lost, there is a there is a 50% chance that they will be found injured or dead from hypothermia, dehydration, or drowning if they are not found within 12 hours, which is why indoor and outdoor safeguards are so essential. Read on for our tips of how to help people live well with dementia during the winter months.

What to check to protect:

1. Help people living with dementia prepare accordingly for the conditions

When possible, help the person with dementia choose a few different layers. Heat can be lost through the head, neck, and hands so if the person is going outside, make sure they have a hat, scarf, and gloves. Some people diagnosed with dementia may experience perception issues, which can make it challenging to recognize or navigate icy patches. Appropriate footwear, such as non-skid boots, is key. Encourage the person to walk in slow, take small steps, and offer a hand for balance as needed. 

2. Encourage healthy habits

Regular movement can help strengthen muscles, increase or maintain mobility, and contribute to more regular sleeping patterns. Movement can also boost circulation and, in turn, help a person with dementia feel warmer. If walking or going outdoors is not an option, small exercises like moving arms and wiggling toes is a good alternative. Keeping warm can burn a lot of energy; ensure the person with dementia drinks lots of fluids and snacks throughout the day to help replenish they energy they’ve used up.

3. As much as possible, try to maintain a person’s routine

Changes in temperature and the reduction in daylight hours may require some shifts in routine. However, a significant change in routine may cause someone with dementia to feel agitated or confused. Support the person as they transition into the new season and when possible, make any adjustments slowly and gradually.

4. Get outside when it’s possible and safe to do so

Natural daylight can help prevent feelings of confusion, anxiety, and even depression during winter months. Getting out for a short walk around the block or sitting on a bench for a few minutes can really boost the mental well-being of a person with dementia. During the day, open the curtains to let as much light in as possible and consider placing a piece of furniture next to a window so the person with dementia can sit and relax in the sun. Some caregivers even opt to install special lightbulbs that simulate sunlight to help maintain a person’s natural daily rhythms.  

5. Keep the person’s environment warm

A good rule of thumb is to keep all rooms that are occupied during the day between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. Consider adding additional draught-proofing and insulation if the person’s residence has unwanted gaps that let cold air in. Other things that can help provide warmth and comfort over the winter months are having extra blankets, a heated blanket, or a hot water bottle within reach of the person with dementia.

Not only can winter weather intensify certain symptoms, but it can also have implications on the routine of a person living with dementia that they may or may not be able to recognize. While it can be tempting to stay in and hibernate over the winter months, the Alzheimer Society recommends that people diagnosed with dementia and their carers stay active. By understanding the causes, effects, and potential mitigating factors of this seasonal change, you can help others live well with dementia this winter.  

You are not alone

If you need someone to talk to, or if you want to learn more about our supports and services, please call our Dementia Helpline between 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday at 1-877-949-4141.

Another Way You Can Help

Individual community members are essential to supporting those with dementia so that they can continue to live well in their own communities for as long as possible. We invite you to become a Dementia Friend to help contribute to this goal.

A Dementia Friend is someone who:

1. Commits to learning more about dementia, including the warning signs associated with dementia.
2. Uses their acquired knowledge in everyday interactions to help communities become more supportive and inclusive. 
3. Talks openly about dementia and why dementia matters in their community to help combat stigma that is often associated with the disease. 

By becoming a Dementia Friend, you’ll receive regular resources to help you learn how to recognize when someone in their community may be lost or disoriented.  A Dementia Friend can assist individuals by responding in supportive ways and by connecting with the proper resources to ensure they return home safely. Sign up today by clicking this link!