Summer Safety Tips for Seniors with Dementia

With summer seemingly always right around the corner, you’ve likely already begun planning fun outdoor activities.

However, if you have a parent or another senior loved one with dementia, you must take careful consideration when including them in summertime activities. Too much heat and sun exposure can be bad for anyone, but it’s especially harmful to those with cognitive concerns.

With that in mind, here are some must-know summer safety tips for seniors with dementia in memory care.

Provide Adequate Hydration

One of the most important tips for enjoying summer weather with an older adult is staying hydrated. Seniors with cognitive concerns will often forget to drink throughout the day. It’s therefore essential for your loved one to take in enough fluids to avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Encourage them to sip water regularly, including plain water and water enhanced with electrolytes. Just keep in mind that the latter shouldn’t be consumed excessively, as this can throw off the electrolyte balance in some seniors.

Protect Their Skin and Eyes

Sunburn is a serious concern in the summertime, especially for older adults who require memory care and aren’t as aware of their physical state.

With skin cancer being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America, protecting the skin from excess sun exposure is vital. Seniors are at an increased risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

To lower their cancer risk and protect them from painful sunburn, regularly apply sunscreen of at least SPF 50 or higher. It’s also a good idea to have them wear light clothing that covers as much skin as possible, such as long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats.

Stay Inside When Necessary

Another tip for safeguarding seniors with dementia during the summer is simply to know their limitations. If it feels too hot for you, it’s definitely too hot for them.

Seniors with cognitive issues can’t assess these conditions on their own, so you need to be prepared to make informed decisions for them. When the weather gets too intense, opt for indoor activities to keep them safe and comfortable.

Keep a Watchful Eye

Drowning is an often-overlooked safety concern during the summertime. Many people enjoy spending time around lakes, pools, or beaches. While this can be a lot of fun, it can also be very dangerous for seniors with dementia.

When you’re enjoying time by the water with an older adult who has dementia, make it a point to keep a watchful eye. Someone should be supervising your loved one at all times to make sure they don’t accidentally fall into the water.

Enjoying the Summer in Memory Care

If you have a senior loved one with dementia, you may think there’s not much they can do to enjoy the summer season. However, as long as you take the necessary precautions and stay vigilant, the older adult in your life can have tons of fun while staying safe.