'Check in' on people with dementia amid hot weather

Charity bosses are advising people to check on family and friends living with dementia during the hot weather.

Dr Sian Wareing-Jones, lead partner from Dementia Jersey, said people might be at a greater risk depending on their different circumstances and symptoms.

She said: "People may struggle to perhaps know that their body is actually overheating... so it may be important for us to help people appreciate what the temperature is, to keep hydrated and maybe to wear more loose fitting clothes."

"If you're a friend of a person with dementia or a family member, do check in," she said.

Wareing-Jones said it might be difficult to spot someone struggling with the heat so advised people just to ask, "are you feeling ok?".

She said everyone sometimes forgot to put sun cream on at the correct factor but people with dementia "may not even remember that we should be putting some protection on or wearing a sun hat."

"We obviously concentrate on what we might like to do in the sunny weather, get to the beach, and we may forget that that might not be the right place for a person with dementia or anybody with a disability who may not be able to look after themselves well at a beach or outside in a garden even," she added.

Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey had also issued advice for keeping vulnerable people safe during the hot weather.

It advised people to stay hydrated, find shade, use sun cream and to stay safe in water, adding:

• Avoid too much alcohol and caffeine, as they can contribute to dehydration.
• Drink water regularly
• Consider rehydration solutions or isotonic sports drinks to replace lost salts and minerals
• Avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest part of the day and take breaks
• Keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day
• Wear a sun hat and loose fitting clothing
• Be alert for heatstroke symptoms, including confusion, rapid pulse and high body temperature
• If you get sun burnt, cool it with water, consider after sun cream
• Protect your eyes, the sun can burn the eye surface as well as your skin
• Pack a bottle of water when going out
• Take any medications as prescribed.
• Take care in and around the sea.
• Be familiar with sea safety advice from Guernsey Coastguard

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