Dementia may worsen during summers
Dementia refers to the loss of cognitive functioning, which includes thinking, remembering, and reasoning. This can interfere with the patient's day-to-day activities. According to health experts, some dementia symptoms can worsen during these months of the year, aka summertime.
During summers, people with dementia are at a greater risk of sundowning, a condition referring to the state of confusion occurring in the late afternoon and lasting into the night. Sundowning isn't a disease, but the condition can cause different troubling behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression, ignoring directions, pacing or wandering.
Why do symptoms worsen in summers?
The reasons why sundowning happens are not well understood. It can be significantly influenced by environmental factors such as heat and longer days. During summers, our bodies can easily become dehydrated, triggering certain symptoms of dementia.
Dehydration and dementia
Dehydration is not just feeling thirsty, but a physical state that can lead to confusion, lethargy, and even irritability. These symptoms of dehydration can happen even in those who do not have dementia. Now, when these are experienced by those who already have cognitive difficulties that come with dementia, dehydration problems can add an extra layer of confusion.
People with dementia are also at higher risk of getting dehydrated. This is because they may be unable to communicate or recognise that they're thirsty, or may forget to drink water. This can lead to more troubling symptoms like headaches, increased confusion, urinary tract infections and constipation.
What signs to look for?
According to health experts, dementia symptoms that can become worse during summers due to sundowning and dehydration, include pacing, wandering, paranoia, repetition, agitation, and poor sleep.
What can we do?
It is important to keep the person with dementia in a cool and comfortable environment. Make sure they are well-hydrated throughout the day. Ice pops are a great way to increase hydration.
There are several activities that can also promote relaxation to reduce agitation in the summer months. These include relaxation therapy and soft music. Offering emotional support and including them in engaging activities can also help.
Monitoring is important
People with this condition should be monitored throughout the day by family members or a caretaker so that they do not develop heat exhaustion or heatstroke. It is important to consult the doctor if you suspect you are experiencing or someone you know is showing signs of dementia.