Guidance and tips
Recommendations for caregivers of a person with dementia
Rain and winter weather forecasts
- Ari Manor
- 3 תגובות
Rainy and cold days pose a challenge for caregivers of people with dementia, whose mechanisms for sensing external cold and regulating body temperature may be impaired. Below is a breakdown of the challenges that exist, and how caregivers can prepare for them.
Challenges experienced by people with dementia during winter, rain, and cold days
People with cognitive decline may experience or face the following challenges on winter and rainy days, which require attention:
- Lack of feeling: Not feeling the cold, not dressing accordingly, and resisting dressing in more layers.
- Impaired temperature regulation: The brain has difficulty detecting temperature changes and sending appropriate signals to the body.
- Wandering around in inappropriate clothing: Wandering outside the house with short or wet clothes, even in mild cold – increases the risk of hypothermia (dangerous drop in body temperature), pneumonia, and falls.
- Difficulty expressing distress: The inability to express feelings of coldness and distress verbally, leading to those around them being unaware of the distress.
- Increased anxiety and restlessness: The noise of thunder, flashes of lightning, and changes in routine may increase confusion, restlessness, and wandering from home.
- Decreased mobility: People with dementia tend to move less, which reduces natural body heating.
How to prepare for winter weather
- Warmth and safety: Set to 22–24°; keep heaters away from curtains, do not dry clothes on a radiator; check that no cables/cords are left wet.
- Landslides and flooding: Dry floors, apply anti-slip tape near the entrance and shower; clear gutters and balconies of leaves.
- Electricity and lighting: Prepare charged emergency flashlights, batteries, and candles (but do not leave a fire unattended); ensure good lighting in hallways – early darkness increases confusion.
- Clothing and hygiene: Several light layers, warm socks; “quick change” bag for wet clothes/diapers.
- Medicines and food: Preparation for 48–72 hours – medications, hot drinks, soups; emergency list on the refrigerator (medical details and telephone numbers).
- Calmness and regulation: Earplugs and/or soothing music during thunderstorms; a soothing explanation of the noises outside.
Preparations for leaving the house (only if necessary)
- Non-slip shoes, coat, hat, light umbrella
- Avoid flood-prone areas and streams in the south and east of the country.
- Set a short, routine route and accompany the person hand in hand.
Estimates when it rains
- Maintain a comforting routine: Food, sleep and medicine; regular “hot tea” rituals
- Encourage moderate movement at home: Walking in the hallway, stretching in a chair – to maintain body heat and prevent stiffness
- The torture of exits: If possible, stay home. Only go outside with a person with dementia when it is not raining and not expected to rain.
Pay attention to warning signs, and seek advice if needed.
In cases of the following warning signs, call a doctor or the emergency services:
- Continuous tremor
- Unusual sleepiness
- Cold/pale skin
- Sharp confusion
- falling
- Fever/or worsening cough
- Shortness of breath
Briefing foreign workers and professional caregivers
Instruct and prepare professional caregivers for winter days. Among other things, talk to them about:
- Moving beyond winter clothes and dressing in layers
- Transition and adjustment to winter time
- Power outage assessments
- Ensure that wet clothes are dried immediately.
- Avoiding unsafe use of heating equipment
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Good and important recommendations. Thank you very much.
Thanks for the important tips!! Continue to support family members who are caring for them. And I would love to participate in a Zoom support group.
Thank you Hannah. You are welcome to register for a Zoom support group here