“Seasons Change” can refer literally to Earth’s seasonal cycles describing the natural occurrence of summer, fall, winter, and spring due to Earth’s axial tilt and its orbit around the sun.
The leaves are changing and sweaters and boots are making their way out of our closets! As temperatures drop and we are presented with those longer winter nights, individuals living with dementia and their families may experience increased stress, anxiety and social isolation. Bad weather and colder temperatures can present particular challenges and may occasionally temporarily worsen symptoms.
Those living with dementia may have trouble communicating, making it difficult for them to describe how they feel in the cold and what they may need to feel comfortable, warm and healthy.
Alzheimer’s or other dementias can feel very out of control for people, so they rely on their families and caregivers for cues. A structured, routine and predictable environment can make things easier for them. By planning ahead and taking necessary precautions, caregivers can make these meaningful decisions.
Someone living with dementia may become confused or agitated following a significant shift in routine. If you must alter someone’s schedule during the winter season, such as adapting nap times or daily walks due to the reduced daylight, try and do it slowly and gradually.
Here are some cold weather tips to consider in helping to ensure the safety and comfort of a person with dementia throughout the chilly winter months.
Bundle Up and stay warm. Help the person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia dress warmly for the winter weather. Ensuring the person with dementia is dressed appropriately for the colder months is crucial because they may not always remember to do so. Layering is essential for staying warm, and cotton, wool, or fleecy fibers are the most effective materials for retaining body heat. Removing layers as necessary based on the environment to prevent overheating.
Remember that the head and neck lose a lot of heat, so make sure the person wears a scarf and hat if you’re going outside. Gloves are also essential to keep hands nice and warm and ensure suitable footwear, such as non-skid boots if it’s icy or snowy.
Keep the house warm and cozy. Keep blankets close at hand for persons living with dementia so they can see it in view and reach for it should they feel cold. A good, energy-efficient temperature for a house in winter is 68°F (20°C) when you’re home and awake, as recommended by the Department of Energy (DOE)environment.
Encourage Physical Activity and Eat and Drink regularly.
Maintaining physical activity can improve circulation and assist in keeping a person living with dementia warm. Therefore, we want to encourage them to move around routinely throughout the day. Simply getting the person to move their arms, legs and wiggle their toes even if walking may be difficult or going outside is challenging due to poor weather conditions can be beneficial.
Staying warm requires a lot of energy and a warm house increases dehydration risk. During the winter months it is critical to ensure that a person living with dementia eats regular meals and gets adequate hydration. A nice warm beverage and snacks can help maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy. Make the daylight last.
In the winter a person living with dementia may experience more confusion, anxiety and even depression due to less sunlight. You can help by exposing them to natural daylight whenever possible. Getting outside whenever you can, even for a short walk or a brief period sitting in the yard or on your front porch can have a great impact.
Keep your curtains open throughout the day to let in as much daylight as possible. Additionally, you may arrange the furniture such that the person living with dementia can sit next to a window. Turn on indoor lights earlier making sure lights and lamps are on when the natural light begins to diminish, even looking to install motion detection lighting for safer navigation.
Be prepared and Buddy Up.
Check on weather conditions regularly for impending storms and have emergency plans in place. Tackle your to-do lists efficiently in one trip during the cold season and consider rescheduling nonurgent appointments when weather poses risk. Seek support from family members or others for helping with tasks outside the home such as running errands, taking care of grocery shopping or snow removal. Perhaps, even utilizing those oh so convenient home services.
Watch Out for Snowy or Icy Weather.
Persons living with dementia may have trouble comprehending that snow might make a surface more slippery or seeing icy patches on pavement due to perception problems. Take extra care to support the person with dementia, assist the person with smaller steps and slower movements than they usually do. Keep walkways clear and encourage use of handrails for added stability.
Keep watch for Hypothermia signs. Individuals living with dementia may find it difficult to feel and explain how cold they are because of their decline in cognitive function and awareness. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, leading to a dangerously low body temperature. Signs of hypothermia can vary depending on the severity of the condition, but may include: shivering, cold skin, fatigue, confusion or disorientation, slurred speech, shallow breathing, fumbling hands.
At Lehigh Commons, we use these strategies by offering our residents specific winter-themed activities to support well-being, including engaging sensory activities with cozy blankets and calming scents, participating in seasonal crafts, reminiscing with family photos, and maintaining a consistent daily routine to reduce anxiety and ensuring every day is filled with sunshine and creating pleasant moments.