Dementia Support Line
Advice
How to support somebody living with dementia in hot weather
Dehydration is a common challenge for older people, especially those living with dementia. Take note of these ways to support people with dementia during periods of hot weather.
For many people, a heatwave is a chance to enjoy the hot weather in gardens, parks and outdoor spaces. But the heat can also cause discomfort and a risk of dehydration.
If you have a loved one living with dementia, take note of these ways to support them when the temperatures soar.
Dementia and dehydration in hot weather
Dehydration is a common challenge for older people, and especially those with dementia. Memory problems mean someone with dementia can easily forget to drink enough water.
What’s more, the part of the brain that recognises you’re dehydrated and sends a message to let you know you’re thirsty doesn’t always work properly. Some medications and dementia-related illnesses can also make dehydration worse.
5 tips for preventing dehydration
Here are some simple but effective ways of helping to prevent dehydration during hot weather:
- Leave beakers or jugs of water within easy reach. This is especially important for people with limited mobility, who aren’t able to get up and make themselves a drink.
- Make drinking easier. Have a clear beaker so the person can see what’s inside (this may not work so well with water) or a brightly coloured cup to draw attention. Make sure the beaker is within the line of sight. Having a beaker that is suitable (not too heavy or an odd shape) can help. Straws might also be a good idea.
- Share a drink together. Have a cup of tea or a soft drink with the person and make sure they're drinking during mealtimes.
- Leave prompts and reminders. Make sure the person with dementia remembers to drink regularly by leaving notes out for them or putting up notices around the house. You could also set up a phone reminder or set an alarm clock.
- Provide high water content foods. Supplement water and other drinks with foods that are high in fluids. Some good options include ice lollies, jelly, ice cream, soup and fruit such as melon. ‘Water sweets’, such as Jelly Drops, can also help the person stay hydrated.
How to recognise dehydration
There are some things that may show a person is dehydrated. If you spot any of the following, encourage the person to drink water immediately and seek medical help if you need. If the condition worsens or doesn’t improve, go straight to the hospital.
- Increased confusion (compared to typical dementia symptoms)
- Dark and strong-smelling urine
- Dry mouth, lips and eyes
- Headaches or dizziness
- Feeling tired
- Not peeing very often (fewer than four times a day).
5 more tips to help people with dementia keep cool in hot weather
1. Make sure the person is dressed appropriately
If someone with dementia is dressing themselves, they might follow their usual routine and forget to dress for the current weather. Light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes made from natural fibres can help keep people comfortable and prevent overheating. A hat or cap for outside is also a good idea.
2. Keep the house as cool as possible
Check that the central heating isn’t on, and invest in some fans if necessary. Keeping the curtains or blinds closed during the day – especially in sunny, south-facing rooms – can also help to keep things cool. Blackout and thermal curtains can help too. In the evening, open the windows to let the warm air out and colder air in.
3. Avoid the midday sun
We’re all advised to stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day (between 11am and 3pm), and this is even more important for people with dementia. When you’re out and about, seek out plenty of shade. Keep a bottle of sunscreen handy, and make sure it’s reapplied regularly.
4. Find ways to cool off
If someone with dementia is hot and agitated, help them take a cool bath or shower. You could also place a wash cloth and some iced water nearby, so they can dab themselves when they need to. Try putting a frozen bottle of water or ice pack next to a fan, for some DIY air-conditioning.
5. Ask friends and neighbours to pop in and check the person is ok
If you don’t live near the person or are worried about someone – ask a friend or neighbour to pop in and make sure they're ok. They could stay and have a drink with the person and make sure they have everything they need.
Eating and drinking
Read our guide to eating and drinking for more advice on staying healthy and hydrated.
p preston
saystrouble drinking they pee more all over how do i get rid of smell of pee,also wont shower.
Alzheimer's Society
saysHello there and thank you for getting in touch.
You may find these tips on reducing and dealing with accidents useful: alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/toilet-accidents-support-advice
In addition, we have further advice on washing and bathing that may be of use if someone you are caring for is reluctant to wash: alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/when-someone-dementia-reluctant-wash
If you’re looking for further support for someone living with dementia, please do contact your local authority for both a needs assessment and a carer’s assessment to ensure you’re getting all the help you’re entitled to.
Lastly, please call our Helpline if you would like further information, support or advice about dementia – our advisers are here for you on 0300 222 11 22.
David Goodwin
saysI agree with your advise on keeping a person with dementia hydrated during hot weather. The problem I have at any time is to get my partner to drink and eat at all, sometimes she will go nearly all day without a proper drink just a few sips here and there and then gets so upset when I remind her that she hasn't finished the drinks that I make for her.
Sheila Riz
saysI lost both my parents to dementia . Mum to Alzheimers, dad to vascular dementia. In total 16 years. Now MIL is declining with vascular, and its sad to see her (and my) family struggling with responsibility and acceptance of her condition. I can advise, share the knowledge I gained but until you have lived it you have to find your way, but take the advice thats fits well with you. However, technology has made life a little easier this time around. I would definitely recommend installing cameras and an ALEXA .We have mum's set up with hourly reminders to have a drink, time stamps eg its morning, its evening have you shut curtains. Its tea time have you eaten your tea, Its noon time for lunch. We have cold drinks in individual glasses that are easily visible through the cameras. So we can monitor her intake when we are not there. Her thermostat is controlled remotely so she never gets too cold and we are alerted if its too hot. By ALEXA saying the reminders her frustration is sometimes directed at a machine rather than an individual but by personalising her reminders with our names and hers she takes them quite well.It starts each day with "good morning mum, its mon, tues etc, have a lovely day" . A bonus is the music relevant to her age and past is readily available.
Hope this helps you a little - its hard but try not to take anything personally.
Dementia Friend
saysStrangely enough, it isn't a case of £x million = cure! Oh that it was that simple!! Just think back to see the progress made with the fight against cancer, but it has taken time. It will happen eventually - but there isn't a cost/result ratio.
Henry F Gasbarro
saysWHEN ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A CURE FOR DEMENTIA
ALL THEY DO IS ASK FOR MONEY!
NEVER A TIME SCHEDULE FOR A SOLUTION FOR DEMENTIA.
Caroline
saysI’m not sure it’s that easy. My understanding is that dementia is a gradual deterioration of the brain cells, whereas Alzheimer’s is a disease. They are making progress, for example the link between Alzheimer’s and diabetes, but it’s slow progress.
Margaret
saysDementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease . Dementia is non specific, it is an overall term. There are over 200 subtypes of dementia.
COLIN OXLADE
saysHELLO THERE WILL NEVER BE A CURE FOR DEMENTIA BECAUSE THE BRAIN IS SO COMPLICATED THAT SCIENCE AND MEDICAL SPECIALISTS DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS. MY MOTHERS VASCULAR DEMENTIA STATED IN 2013 AND IT HAS TURNED HER INTO A STRANGER. SHE IS NOT THE MOTHER I KNEW.HAVING TO WATCH HER SUFFER IN THIS LOCKED IN WORLD IS PAINFUL FOR ME TO ENDURE. SHE TRIES SO HARD TO TALK TO ME LIKE SHE USED TO BUT SHE IS UNABLE TO.I NEED TO FIND THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR TO FREE HER FROM THIS LOCKED IN WORLD BUT I KNOW I WILL NEVER FIND IT BECAUSE SUCH A KEY DOES NOT EXIST. IT AMAZES ME THAT WITH ALL THE SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TODAY, A CURE FOR DEMENTIA HAS STILL NOT BEEN FOUND YET THEY CAN PUT A MAN ON THE MOON AND SEND A ROCKET TO MARS. WHAT HOPE IS THEIR FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS?IT IS TOO LATE FOR MY MUM NOW TOO BE CURED FROM THIS SCOURGE THAT IS CALLED DEMENTIA AND CAUSES SO MUCH SUFFERING IN THE WORLD
Margaret
saysNever say never,Colin. I live with my 'locked in' vascular dementia husband so can appreciate your despair. However, I believe that in time, some aspects of dementia will be controlled, if not cured. Forty seven years ago my twelve year old daughter died from an incurable cancer which, had it occurred today, her prospects would have been much more promising. So things do change....not for sufferers today but maybe within the foreseeable future.