LET'S TALK AGING: Coping with changing seasons
Barbara Harrison
Some people say winter is just too cold and dreary; some love the snow and holidays the season brings. For people living with dementia, winter can present a unique set of challenges beyond likes or dislikes. If you’re a caregiver for a person living with dementia, it’s important to prepare for the season ahead of time and develop strategies to deal with winter’s challenges.
Cold temperatures
A person living with dementia doesn’t always remember to dress appropriately for the weather. Because the risk of hypothermia is high during the winter, it’s especially important that your loved one stays warm. Even if they’re staying indoors, encourage them to wear comfortable, nonrestrictive layers. When going outside, your loved one should wear a hat and mittens, which can feel less restraining than gloves and scarves.
Though it may be cold outside, your loved one still needs plenty of water; they should be drinking six to eight glasses a day. You may find it helpful to use flavored water and fun, colorful cups so they’re more inclined to drink often.
Harsh weather
Cold weather isn’t the only danger in the winter: snow and ice are the true perils. If your loved one is walking outdoors, make sure they have on non-skid footwear with good traction. Insulated, waterproof boots and warm wool socks should also be considered.
Walk arm-in-arm with your loved one to keep them from falling and have them use a handrail for balance whenever possible. If your loved one walks with a cane, replace worn rubber tips. Keep walkways shoveled and salted, but always assume surfaces are slick since black ice is hard to detect at a glance. Because temperatures can get so frigid here on the east coast, limit outdoor activities as much as possible.
In the case of a winter storm, have emergency supplies on hand: dried foods, canned goods, flashlights, batteries, etc. However, as long as the power is on, keep your home’s thermostat at a warm temperature.
Sundowning and wandering
The shorter days of winter days can exacerbate sundowning, the dementia-related symptom of restlessness and confusion that occurs in the late afternoon and builds throughout the evening. You can lessen the severity of this symptom on dimmer winter days by keeping your home well-lit. Create a schedule for your loved one that you both follow regardless of daylight hours. A set bedtime and plenty of activity during the day can also make it easier for your loved one to fall asleep at night.
Like sundowning, wandering is always a concern for people living with dementia. Since cold weather and harsh conditions can prove deadly, take extra care to make sure that doors and windows are locked at all times.
While winter presents new challenges for people living with dementia, it can still be an enjoyable time of year. Though you and your loved one may find yourselves indoors more than usual, it’s the perfect time to gather with friends and family; reminisce about the past, and encourage discussions about familiar people and places. If you have any questions about your loved one’s winter woes, please feel free to reach out to me at bharrison@bridgesbyepoch.com.