ST. GEORGE — Weather-related heat can create health risks for all humans, but older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease face one measurable risk — an 8% higher chance of dying.
As July and August are the hottest months of the year, the Alzheimer’s Association provided advice for the 38,300 Utahns living with memory impairment.
“Alzheimer’s disease causes a number of changes in the brain and body that may affect the individual’s safety, including changes in sensitivity to temperatures,” said Stacie Kulp, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Utah.
According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, people living with Alzheimer’s were 8% more likely to die on an extremely hot day. Researchers added a 6% increased risk for individuals with previous hospital admissions for atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm.
With more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, things like planning ahead for weather changes, including extreme heat, can prevent injuries and help a person feel more relaxed and less overwhelmed.
“People living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias can be more vulnerable than normal during extreme weather because their judgment may be impaired and they may be unable to communicate their discomfort,” Kulp said in the press release. “It’s important to take extra precautions with these individuals during periods of extreme heat or other severe weather conditions.”
Other important safety tips for caregivers and families dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias to prepare for the hot days include:
- Make a plan. Family and friends should prepare accordingly and make plans to regularly check in on a person living with Alzheimer’s during periods of extreme heat. Arrange alternative plans for cooler spaces if air conditioning is unavailable, and dress in loose-fitting, light clothing.
- Pay attention at night. Keep people living with Alzheimer’s cool by using fans and keep the air conditioning on. At night, low temperatures can still exceed 75 degrees with little fluctuation in humidity levels, making for difficult sleeping conditions, heightened anxiety and increased agitation.
- Prepare for behavioral changes. Research shows that heat can increase agitation and confusion in people. Try to remove behavioral triggers by addressing the person’s physical needs related to the heat, then tending to their emotional needs.
- Stay hydrated. Increased water intake is essential to maintaining good hydration and health during extreme heat. Know the signs of heat exhaustion to avoid heat stroke. Dehydration may be difficult to notice in a person living with Alzheimer’s, as signs like increased fatigue, dry mouth and headache may be difficult to detect. People taking diuretics, sedatives, or certain heart medications may not sweat as much as others, but this does not mean they are not hot.
- Stay indoors out of the sun. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion may occur in extreme heat conditions but symptoms may be difficult to detect in people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Keep individuals cool by using air conditioning at home or move to a public place, such as a senior center or shopping mall. If you must go outside, dress appropriately with loose-fitting, light clothing, wear a hat and apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Stay informed. Keep an eye on local weather forecasts. High temperatures are not the only cause for concern. Humidity and air pollution can cause breathing difficulties. The person should be monitored regularly, and seek medical attention if symptoms arise of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
The Alzheimer’s Association is available to help families prepare for and cope with such extraordinary circumstances, the media release continued. For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the Association’s free Helpline, staffed by trained professionals around-the-clock, at 800-272-3900.
The association predicts that by 2050, nearly 13 million Americans could be affected by memory loss, the media release stated. Other facts about Alzheimer’s include:
- More than 1 in 9 people in the U.S. (11.3%) age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s dementia.
- Two national studies report that between 17% and 22% of people aged 65 and older are living with Mild Cognitive Impairment, which can be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.
- Women make up two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
- Black Americans are twice as likely as whites to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
- Hispanic Americans are 50% more likely than whites to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
- Alzheimer’s is the 7th-leading cause of death of people in the U.S.
- It is the only leading cause of death without a prevention or cure.
- In Utah, 980 people died from Alzheimer’s in 2019, the most recent figure available.
- More than 99,000 Utahns are serving as unpaid caregivers, providing an estimated 122 million hours of support in 2022 valued at nearly $2.3 billion.
The Alzheimer’s Association of Utah provides educational programs, support groups and informational services at no charge to Utah families. The Utah chapter’s free 24/7 bilingual Helpline is 800-272-3900. Information also is available at www.alz.org.
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