Sussex heatwave: keep people with dementia hydrated and out of sun, warns Alzheimer’s Society

The charity is advising families and carers to regularly check in on people with dementia and keep them hydrated and out of the sun during sunny spells.

The Alzheimer’s Society said more than 134,000 people are estimated to be living with dementia in the South East.

Marion Child, Alzheimer’s Society head of service for the South East, said: “Of course, people should enjoy the nice weather, but high temperatures can lead to severe health problems for people with dementia unless they take special precautions to keep cool and well-hydrated.

“People with dementia may forget to drink enough fluids and wear suitable clothing.

"As the temperatures rise this week, we are urging families and carers to check in on people with dementia to make sure they are staying hydrated, wearing light clothes and keeping out of direct sun.”

The Alzheimer’s Society's tips include:

Making sure the person is dressed appropriately: Light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes made from natural fibres can help keep people comfortable and prevent overheating. Wearing a hat outside is a good idea too.

Keeping the house as cool as possible: Keep the curtains or blinds closed during the day, especially in sunny, south-facing rooms. In the evening open the windows to let the colder air in.

Avoiding the midday sun: People should stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day between 11am and 3pm. If you go out seek shade, wear a hat and take a bottle of high factor sunscreen with you.

Finding ways to cool off like putting a frozen bottle of water or ice pack next to a fan for DIY air-conditioning.

Asking friends and neighbours to pop in and check the person is ok.

The society is also supporting Jelly Drops ‘water sweets’ to help people with dementia stay hydrated.

These bite-sized, sugar-free sweets contain 95 per cent water and added electrolytes.

Lewis Hornby, inventor of Jelly Drops, said: “Dehydration is a serious and often overlooked problem for people with dementia and the risk massively increases during the hot summer months.”

To find out more visit alzheimers.org.uk.