Keeping Loved Ones with Dementia Safe This Summer and Important Communication Tips

Are you caring for a loved one with dementia? You don't have to figure this out all on your own. Welcome to Truth, Lies Alzheimer's, the show that helps you reimagine a new relationship with your loved one, a relationship a little more free of stress and anxiety. Join host Lisa Skinner and her 30+ years of experience as she guides you on a new path to a better relationship with those you care for. Here's Lisa.

Hi everybody, welcome back for another brand new episode of The Truth, Lies Alzheimer's Show. I'm Lisa Skinner, your host, and I was thinking about this and can't believe that we are already halfway through this summer. So I thought, what a perfect time and place to get this topic in. So today I'm going to be talking about how you can ensure your loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or dementia are having a safe summer. Especially since every time we turn the news on, we're hearing about these ongoing and continuous heat waves all over the country. So it can be potentially very dangerous for the elderly population, and especially if they are living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Now, throughout the many years that I worked in memory care communities, my favorite time of the year was summertime. The days were not only longer, but the weather was warm and the residents could enjoy a variety of gratifying activities outdoors. I used to love watching the caregivers help— helping the residents play plant flowers and tend to the vegetables that they had planted in the garden boxes that were built for them in our courtyard. There was also an outdoor aviary where they seemed to enjoy watching the birds playing and singing in perfect harmony with one another. Some of the residents would hum along with the birds. It was so cute. Now, one could tell that these activities were creating invaluable moments of joy and purpose for them. The sights, the sounds, and the smells of the outdoors can offer a person with Alzheimer's disease many opportunities for pleasurable stimulation and trigger wonderful memories from their past. Family members would often take their loved ones out during the warmer summer months for special outings such as family picnics or to the local farmers market. And although summertime presented many exclusive events that could not be done in the colder weather, it did not come without its own set of dangers. When people suffer from even moderate Alzheimer's disease, and related dementia, their cognitive abilities continue to decline, sadly. But now the damage to the brain has spread to areas that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and conscious thought, making it nearly impossible for them to verbalize if they are being impacted by the heat. That stands to reason, right? Therefore, it's vital for us as caregivers and as family members to take extra precautions during the hot summer months not to endanger the residents from exposure to the heat. And you know that older adults, and particularly individuals who do suffer from Alzheimer's Alzheimer's disease and dementia are definitely at a much higher risk during hot weather than younger people are. As we age, we lose the ability to control our body temperatures. Did you know that? It's a fact. Our bodies also have a decreased ability to perspire. As we get older. Sudden temperature changes are not easy to adjust to for older adults, leaving them vulnerable for dehydration, heat-related illnesses, heat stroke, and of course, sunburn. Now, other reasons why seniors are more prone to heat stress than the general population, and this is according to the Centers for Disease Control are the— just for the sheer fact that a lot of them live with chronic medical conditions, including cognitive impairment, which can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, as well as medications they may be taking that can interfere with the body's ability to regulate heat. So to ensure that people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia can stay still enjoy outdoor activities and always stay comfortable and safe during the summer heat, there are many protective measures that can be put in place. So I'm going to share these with you. Number 1, make sure to keep them hydrated by offering plenty of fluids and cool foods. Staying hydrated can keep body temperatures down and prevent dehydration. Drink plenty of water, at least 8 glasses per day. You can infuse the water with fruit if your loved one prefers flavor. And this is an important point to realize: you want to avoid soda, caffeine, and alcohol. People with dementia often don't know that they're thirsty, It's not registering to them that they're thirsty. So if they show no interest in drinking fluids, you can try offering them popsicles, fruit, or smoothies instead to keep cool. It doesn't necessarily have to be water. You wanna keep them as cool as possible. The hottest time of the day is typically between 11:00 AM through 3:00 PM. So in order to minimize their risk of heat exposure, avoid outings during these peak sun times and opt to stay in a cooler, air-conditioned environment. This can help prevent heat stress and heat stroke, as well as prevent sunburn and keep your loved one from becoming agitated and aggressive due to being miserably hot and extremely uncomfortable. Make sure your loved one or the person you're caring for is dressed in lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing in natural fibers such as cotton. Have them wear hats, sunglasses, and carry lightweight umbrellas to keep them from from the direct sun. Try to schedule your doctor's appointments during the early morning hours and limit the amount of time they spend outside. Provide them with cool showers or sponge baths. Provide them with cooling fans that are easy to carry and are available to take along. And go for walks during the early morning hours of the day. Also, it's imperative that you pay close attention to any of the following warning signs that your loved one might be in distress. So here's what to look for that might signal that they are experiencing heat exhaustion. That they feel faint or dizzy, they are sweating excessively, they are cool, pale, and have clammy skin, they may feel sick to their stomach or even start vomiting, they have a rapid and weak pulse, and even if they can't tell you that they're experiencing muscle cramps. Perhaps their body language will be a tell that they are experiencing some pain in their legs. So what you want to do immediately, get to a cooler air-conditioned place, drink water if they're fully conscious, and have them take a cool shower or use cold compresses to to bring that body temperature heat down. Now, here are some signs to look for if they are experiencing an actual heat stroke. They— you might not know this because they may not be able to actually communicate it to you, but they are experiencing a throbbing headache. They seem more confused. And with a heat stroke, there's no sweating. So pay attention to that body language and change in their behavior. Again, I can't emphasize this enough. Their behaviors are their way of telling you that something is bothering them. So if you notice a change in behavior, there's something going on. Also, indications of a heat stroke are that their body temperature rises to above 103 degrees and their skin is red, hot, and dry. Uh, with heat stroke, they can also be experiencing nausea and/or vomiting, just like with the exhaustion, and Contrary to the heat exhaustion, where I mentioned that they would be displaying a rapid weak pulse, with— they're having a heat stroke, it's a rapid strong pulse. They may actually lose consciousness. So, what do you want to do if you notice the symptoms, especially heat stroke? Call 911. Move that person to a cooler place. Cool them down using cool cloths or a bath. And don't give them anything to drink if you suspect they're having a heat stroke. During extremely hot and humid weather, our body's ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, our body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness like the ones I just described to you, heat exhaustion, heat stroke. It's important that you recognize the symptoms of excessive heat exposure exposure and the appropriate responses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, does provide a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness and recommended first aid steps. So here are some of the other symptoms and steps. So heat cramps, heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness. And may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke. The symptoms to watch for: painful muscle cramps and spasms, usually in their legs, but it could be in their abdomen, and they might be sweating very heavily. For first aid, you could apply firm pressure on the cramping muscle or gently massage to relieve the spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving the water. Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour. Again, these instructions are according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it's on their website, the CDC website. Now, the symptoms to look for, once again, for heat exhaustion is heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin, a fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting. First aid, it's recommended by the CDC that you move that person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air-conditioned room, and you want to loosen their clothing, then apply cool wet cloths or have your person sit in a cool bath. Offer them sips of water, but once again, If person vomits more than once, you want to seek immediate medical attention. If they vomit, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour. And then a few more symptoms that weren't mentioned before for heat stroke include a throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry, or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse. They can faint or lose— actually lose their consciousness. So according to the CDC, what you want to do is immediately call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is an extremely severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the person to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned environment. Reduce their body temperature with cool cloths or a bath. Use a fan if the heat index temperatures are below the high 90s, and a fan can make you hotter at higher temperature. And in this scenario, do not give fluids. This is side note here, and I mentioned it just a second ago, but they emphasize it. Using a fan to blow air in someone's direction may actually make them hotter if the heat index temperatures are above the 90s. So that's really good information to know. For information on all of these heat-related illnesses, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, website. So those are some great tips that we can pass along. To ensure that your loved one or the person that you're caring for with dementia stays as safe as can be under the extreme hot weather conditions that we're all experiencing across the country. I want to share with you a couple more tips that I ran across, and I think that these are really important things to be aware of too. This actually is a fabulous list to share with people who support living with dementia. Not only is each nugget meaningful in content, but reading it through their perspective helps us grow empathy for their situation. We want to thank Cindy Keane for sharing this really valuable information. So it starts off saying, if I get dementia, I'd like my family to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live. I want them to remember these very important things. Number 1, every time you enter the room, please announce, hi, my name is You say, "Talma," your name, and then tell them their name. Number 2, never ask, "Do you know who I am?" Because that can definitely cause anxiety. Number 3, I really want my friends and my family to embrace my reality. Number 4: If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we're visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I'll be much, much happier for it. Number 5: Don't argue with me about what is true for me versus what is true for you. Your reality is different from mine. Number 6: And if I'm not sure who you are, please don't take it personally. My timeline is confusing to me. Number 7: If I can no longer use utensils, please do not start feeding me. Instead, switch me to a finger food diet and see if I can still feed myself. Remember, help them and encourage them to retain as much of their independence as possible for the stage they're at in their dementia. Number 8: If I'm sad or anxious, please hold my hand and listen. Do not tell me that my feelings are unfair. Number 9: I don't want to be treated like a child. Talk to me like the adult that I am. Number 10: I still want to enjoy the things that I've always enjoyed, so please help me find a way to exercise, read, and visit with my friends. Number 11: Ask me to tell you a story from my past. Number 12: And if I become agitated, take the time to figure out what's bothering me. Number 13: Treat me the way that you would want to be treated. Number 14: Make sure there are plenty of snacks for me in the house. Even now, if I don't eat, I get angry. And if I have dementia, I may have trouble explaining to you what I really need. Number 15: Don't talk about me as if I'm not in the room. I am aware of my surroundings and what's going on in those surroundings. Number 16: I don't want you to feel guilty if you cannot care for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's not your fault, and you're doing the very best you can. Find someone who can help you or choose a great new place for me to live.

17.

If I live in a dementia care community, I would love for you to visit me often. 18. Please don't act frustrated if I mix up names, events, or places, just try to take a deep breath. It's really not my fault. It's my brain changing due to the brain disease that I have. 19, make sure I always have my favorite music playing within earshot. Number 20, and if I pick up items and carry them around, You could help me return those items to their original place. Number 21: Don't exclude me from parties and family gatherings. Number 22: Know that I still love receiving hugs and handshakes. Number 23: Remember, I am still the person you know and love. And those are some exceptional tips if you have a loved one or if you're caring for somebody who's living with dementia. And these are told from the perspective of the person living with the brain disease as their brains are changing and they're progressing through the illness. So that's what I have for you today. I hope this has been really valuable. Just make sure that You're paying attention if you're in a hot weather situation to all the things we talked about to minimize the risk or even prevent the risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. And some really fine tips of things to say, things not to say, things to do, things not to do. All these tips are always really helpful. In helping increase the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. All right, so come back for another new episode of The Truth Lies in Alzheimer's next week, and I'll be here for you. I hope that you'll be back for another brand new episode with some more really helpful information that I just absolutely love sharing with all of you. So for now, hope you enjoy the rest of your week and stay healthy and cool. Bye for now.

Thank you for listening to Truth, Lies Alzheimer's. We hope you found something in today's episode that helps. We understand that caring for a loved one with dementia can be the challenge of a lifetime, but you don't have to do it you alone. If you're ready for exclusive access to even more great content and resources, head on over to Facebook and join Lisa Skinner's Minding Dementia support group. We're a community of like-minded caregivers, and we're here to help.