Heat safety tips for families affected by dementia

With a widespread heat wave bringing dangerously high temperatures and triple-digit heat indexes for millions of people, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is providing important tips to help families affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related illnesses keep their loved ones safe.

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“Extreme heat is especially dangerous for someone with dementia because dementia can impair their ability to notice if they are developing heat stroke or dehydration,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, SIFI, AFA’s Senior Director of Educational and Social Services. “Taking a few simple steps will go a long way to help caregivers keep their loved one with dementia safe during the heat wave.”

AFA advises family caregivers to take the following steps

Take steps to prevent wandering – Wandering is a common and potentially dangerous behavior for individuals with dementia, as they can get lost or become disoriented and not know how or who to call for help. It’s even more dangerous in extreme heat conditions, where heat stroke (a serious elevation in body temperature that is sparked by exposure to extreme environmental heat or a mixture of heat and humidity) can develop in minutes. There are many reasons why someone with dementia wants to go outdoors. Being outside may provide a feeling of purposefulness or satisfaction, be a response to excessive stimuli triggered by the need to get away from noises and people, or a response to an unmet need (i.e., hunger, thirst, boredom).