It’s FROSTY Outside!: Cool Winter Tips for the Dementia Caregiver

Posted 1-8-25

He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ -Job 37:6

It is wintertime again friends! Here are some tips I whipped up today to help you navigate the bad weather we are facing right now. 🙂 I hope they help. But first a quick video and song from the singin’ cowboy Gene Aurty:

(Reference: https://youtu.be/k6zW225k_O0?si=htn4_2qn25_MFL4v

It’s FROSTY Outside!: Cool Winter Tips for the Dementia Caregiver

Fall Prevention– It is critical year-round to avoid falls, but especially in the winter due to the extreme temperatures! If you must venture out, the best walking method when it may be slick is a slow, slightly forward-leaning waddle like a penguin. Wear appropriate, rubberized shoes or those with extra traction applied. Bring your charged cellphone everywhere and invest in a fall pendant if possible.
Routine- Stick with your routine as best you can! This may involve utilizing natural-looking artificial lights more than normal. When it gets dark at 4:30pm (!!!), it may appear to be bedtime to your loved one and can begin a cycle of sundowning. Pull the blinds and use lighting to maintain the illusion of daytime until a more appropriate time for bedtime. Get some exercise inside while you are at it, and fight the temptation to watch TV all day.
Observe– According to the Alzheimer’s Association, fully 6 in 10 people with dementia experience wandering away/getting lost at some point in the journey. Look over the house with a fresh set of eyes knowing that if they are not found within 24 hours, up to half of wandering individuals will suffer serious injury or death, especially this time of year. Utilize children’s door locks and/or add a chain lock below waist-level, consider security cameras and alarms, and talk to your neighbors to enlist them to help keep an eye out.
Safety Plan– Ice storms and extreme cold may lead to power outages. Have an alternative shelter destination in mind and a transportation plan to get there before the storm comes. A family’s or friend’s homes would be ideal for added support, but if that is not an option, find another facility outside the range of the storm such as a hotel or AirBNB. If you are sheltering in the home, have extra blankets handy. Keep your phone charged and purchase an external battery for it as well. Have an emergency kit with a supply of meds, food and water, and other supplies necessary to make it for a week or longer. Purchase an alert radio with the S.A.M.E. feature to stay current on emergency weather.
Temperature– Remember that your loved one may have hypothalamus issues that prevent them from fully processing the temps and making good clothing choices. Choose your battles, but especially when outside this is a hill worth dying over. Layering, bundling up, and covering all exposed skin while being outside is critical. Inside you may be able to be more flexible. Check their face and hand temp if in doubt, because they may confuse hot from cold.
You Matter too!– Your physical and mental health matter! If you are not well, your caregiving will get harder too. You are already aware that being stuck inside can be taxing. Prayer, meditation/mindful breathing, and rest are perhaps more important than ever! Connect with the outside world early and often. Zoom/video chat with friends and family. Attend online support groups and/or the Alz Connected site found at alzconnected.org/. Use the time to find respite and other resources from the Alzheimer’s Association and your local Area Agency on Aging. If I can help, call me at 417-955-2513