A charity warned people to pay special attention to loved ones with dementia as temperatures rise above 30 degrees in many parts of the UK.
The Met Office predicts temperatures in Merseyside will stay around 30C and the high 20s throughout Saturday and much of Sunday. This heat poses a particular threat to vulnerable people less able to keep themselves hydrated, so Alzheimer's Society is alerting the public of the increased need to check on people living with dementia.
Dehydration and lack of water can lead to heatstroke, which can be fatal if not treated quickly. Steve Green, the charity's area manager for Merseyside, Cheshire and Isle Of Man, 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.
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"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. Popping round to check on a neighbour, friend or family member with dementia can help protect them and keep them safe during the hot weather."
During the potentially "extreme heat", Alzheimer's Society is urging people to help family and friends stay hydrated by leaving glasses or jugs of water within easy reach, sharing a drink with the person with dementia, leaving reminders, and providing food with high water content.
One high water content product is Jelly Drops, which the charity advertises on its website. These bite-size sweets are vegan, gluten free, sugar free, and are 95% water with added electrolytes. Lewis Hornby, a 28-year-old from Burscough in Lancashire, designed them specifically for people with dementia after his nan was left unresponsive and rushed to hospital with dehydration.
Alzheimer's Society said traffic from their website to Jelly Drops soared during the "record-breaking" heat in July, when the company produced more than 20,000 packs for individuals, care homes and healthcare organisations in the UK. Visits to Alzheimer's Society's online shop and Jelly Drops page rose from 289 in June to 415 in July.
In addition to staying hydrated, the charity also advices people on other ways to stay safe during the high temperatures, including:
- Make sure the person is dressed appropriately - Light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes made from natural fibres can help keep people comfortable and prevent overheating. A hat or cap for outside is also a good idea
- Keepe the house as cool as possible - Keeping the curtains or blinds closed during the day - especially in sunny, south-facing rooms - can help to keep things cool. In the evening, open the windows to let the warm air out and colder air in
- Avoid the midday sun – We're advised to stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day between 11am and 3pm. If you're out and about, seek out plenty of shade. Wear a hat and keep a bottle of high factor sunscreen on you, and make sure it's reapplied regularly
- Find ways to cool off - Try putting a frozen bottle of water or ice pack next to a fan, for some DIY air conditioning. Or place a washcloth and some iced water nearby
- Ask friends and neighbours to pop in and check the person is ok - If you don't live near the person or are worried about someone, ask a friend or neighbour to pop in and make sure they're ok
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