05/13/2026
Great advice from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners:
1. Prepare for Heat and Hydration Risks
Older adults living with dementia are often more vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related illness. Many may not recognize thirst, communicate discomfort, or remember to drink fluids regularly.
Care partners can help by:
Offering fluids frequently throughout the day
Providing foods with high water content like fruit, popsicles, or gelatin
Watching for signs of dehydration such as confusion, weakness, dizziness, or dark urine
Encouraging lightweight, breathable clothing
Limiting outdoor activity during peak heat hours
Monitoring indoor temperatures carefully
Even mild dehydration can worsen confusion and increase fall risk.
2. Expect Changes in Routine
Summer often brings vacations, family visits, schedule changes, and community events. While these activities can be positive, changes in routine may increase anxiety or disorientation for someone with dementia.
Care partners should try to:
Maintain consistent meal and sleep schedules
Prepare the person ahead of time for outings or visitors
Avoid overscheduling activities
Build quiet rest periods into busy days
Keep familiar comfort items nearby
Simple routines often provide a sense of security and stability.
3. Plan Dementia-Friendly Activities
Summer offers many opportunities for meaningful engagement, but activities should match the person’s abilities, energy level, and tolerance for stimulation.
Good summer activities may include:
Sitting outside in shaded areas
Gardening or watering plants
Listening to music outdoors
Short walks
Looking through summer photos
Simple cookouts or picnics
Watching birds or nature
Enjoying sensory activities like lemonade tasting or flower arranging
The goal is connection and enjoyment, not just keeping busy.
4. Watch for Overstimulation
Crowds, loud music, fireworks, busy gatherings, and unfamiliar environments can become overwhelming very quickly.
Signs of overstimulation may include:
Increased confusion
Restlessness or pacing
Irritability
Withdrawal
Agitation
Repetitive questioning
Fatigue
Care partners can reduce distress by:
Keeping gatherings smaller and shorter
Reducing background noise
Offering quiet spaces for breaks
Leaving events early if needed
Avoiding overly chaotic environments
Sometimes less stimulation leads to a much more positive experience.
5. Prepare for Increased Family Visits
Summer often brings more visitors. While visits can be meaningful, they can also disrupt routines or create emotional stress.
Professional and family care partners can help by:
Preparing visitors ahead of time about communication changes
Encouraging calm, simple interactions
Limiting the number of visitors at once
Helping families focus on connection rather than memory testing
Encouraging short, successful visits instead of long exhausting ones
Visitors may need reminders not to ask questions like “Do you remember me?” which can unintentionally create anxiety or embarrassment.
6. Keep Safety a Top Priority
Summer activities often increase safety concerns, especially outdoors or in unfamiliar places.
Care partners should pay close attention to:
Fall risks on uneven outdoor surfaces
Wandering risks during gatherings or outings
Sun exposure and overheating
Pool and water safety
Proper footwear and mobility supports
Medication schedules during travel or events
Extra supervision may be needed during busy gatherings when distractions are high.
7. Support Emotional Well-Being
Summer traditions sometimes remind families and care partners of how much life has changed. Care partners may also experience stress, fatigue, or grief while trying to create positive experiences for others.
It is important for care partners to:
Set realistic expectations
Allow flexibility in plans
Focus on moments of joy rather than perfect outcomes
Recognize signs of caregiver burnout
Ask for help and support when needed
Meaningful moments do not have to be elaborate. Often the simplest experiences create the strongest sense of connection.
8. Use Summer as an Opportunity for Joy
Despite the challenges, summer can still offer many opportunities for comfort, engagement, and happiness. Warm weather, fresh air, familiar music, favorite foods, and time with loved ones can all support emotional well-being when approached thoughtfully.
Care partners who plan ahead, simplify activities, and remain flexible can help individuals living with dementia experience the season in ways that feel safe, meaningful, and enjoyable.
Small adjustments can make a big difference and can turn potentially stressful situations into moments of connection, comfort, and quality of life.
