Since I live in the United States, I naturally think of beating the heat in summer at this time of year.  In other regions of the world, you may be considering ways to keep warm or beat the cold!

Caregivers need to be particularly sensitive to the needs of Alzheimer’s patients during the hotter months, since those with dementia often don’t realize they’re too hot and may be unable to express it if they are.  Also, if they are too hot, they may think nothing of shedding whatever clothes is necessary to feel cooler, just as a small child does, irregardless of whoever is around.  

I recall a daughter relating an incident about her father.  She found him sitting on the back steps with nothing on but his necktie and sunglasses.  Her son (his grandson) sat beside him clad in a diaper.  When she, in her horror, inquired why he had no clothes on, the father informed her, “It’s hot.” 

Dehydration is another problem with Alzheimer’s patients, particularly when it’s hot.  When I urged Mother to drink more fluids, she’d reply, “I’m not thirsty,” and shut her lips firmly.  So I, and later the nurses at the home, had to tempt her with fruit juices and tea as well as water.                           Do you have successful techniques to help Alzheimer’s patients “beat the summer heat?”

Post from: Blisstree

Tips for Helping Alzheimer’s Patients Beat the Summer Heat

 I experienced this difficulty with Mother.  Even though she used to tell us, when we were children, to drink a lot in summer, she no longer understood that reasoning.

So I had to develop strategies to get her to drink more.  I also noticed, when she moved to a nursing home, that they came around mid morning and afternoon for “juice time.”  The staff served juice or water which usually was a break in the day for the residents.

Some tips on what worked for me.  Most of the time!

*Serve smaller amounts.

*Provide liquids more frequently.

*Use small, attractive cups and glasses.  Even paper cups can be bright and pretty.  (There also is not so much to mop up if the glass gets spilled.)

*Find what might be a favorite juice.  For instance, Mother never liked prune juice, so absolutely refused this. 

*Don’t insist to the point of argument.  It generally won’t gain anything.

*Serve foods, like watermelon, with high water content.

Ruth Schaffer at her Eating Fabulous blog, discusses watermelon with its high water content as a refreshing food for summer.  (http://eatingfabulous.com/summers-thirst-quencher-watermelons/ .)

Do you have any tips for getting Alzheimer’s patients to drink adequate liquids during the hot weather…or any time at all. 

Post from: Blisstree

Keeping the Alzheimer’s Patient Hydrated