Summertime is here and that means warm summer days, fun in the sun, and slow, breezy summer nights. If your loved one has dementia or another form of Alzheimer’s disease, it can be harder to enjoy the summer season. While this can be for any number of reasons, most often it’s harder to enjoy because of safety issues.
For seniors with cognitive impairment – and their families – high-tech safety devices have evolved into user-friendly must-haves.
Each year, more and more individuals contract Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory impairments. This is partially due to the fact that we’re learning more about these diseases and becoming more knowledgeable about recognizing and treating them. While it’s wonderful that the stigma of these impairments is lessening and society is becoming aware of the needs and challenges for these individuals, it also highlights a growing need for technologies that can be used to keep seniors safe, healthy and as independent as possible.
According to the CDC, more than one out of four adults age 65 and older falls each year, jeopardizing their health, mobility, and independence – and people with dementia are at higher risk of falling than those without cognitive impairment.
What’s more Fourth of July than parades, picnics and, of course, fireworks?
As we age, our mobility and physical abilities decrease, which means modifications need to be made around our homes in order to live safely. However, if you’re a caregiver of a loved one with dementia, there are other factors you need to take into consideration in order to create a safe living environment.
Halloween is many people’s favorite time of year. Trick-or-treating for delicious candy, looking at all the spooky decorations, going to haunted houses and watching festive Halloween movies… there’s a lot to love! However, for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, this can be a scary time of year. According to Danielle Buck, Director of Community Relations at YourLife™ of Stuart, a Memory Care community in Stuart, Florida, Halloween can be a dangerous time for those with dementia.
When your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you may struggle with their symptoms and how to keep them as safe as possible at home. They may be prone to wandering, might leave household appliances on or may even get into potentially toxic materials. Because of this, it’s important to find ways to ensure home safety. “Safety is a big issue for those with memory loss and their caregivers,” says Jillian Castellano, Community Relations Director at YourLife™ of Coconut Creek, a Memory Care community in Coconut Creek, Florida.
An initial dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming for families experiencing it for the first time. Many who don’t understand the many stages of memory loss might rush to step in and, among other things, hang up their loved one’s car keys or try to get them to move if they live alone.
As the country begins to reopen, it’s tempting for families to (finally!) take their loved ones with dementia out of self-isolation for visits to their favorite parks, restaurants, places of worship, and other areas that have been off-limits for months.