From the desk of Rosemary Laird, MD
Founder of Navigating Aging Needs (NAN), LLC
Get Cozy!
When cold weather strikes, the first thing you need to pay attention to is your physical health: Make sure you and your loved one have warm clothes, adequate heating, and foot protection against icy walkways.
But there is another aspect of dealing with the cold that is just as important, and that is keeping your mental health strong. And for that, I recommend that we all follow the lead of Scandinavians: After all, the people of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden know something about cold weather!
Quiet Down!
For a caregiver of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, noise pollution is more than an annoyance. Alzheimer’s impairs the brain’s ability to process sensations, causing noises to blend in with each other and sow confusion. Loud noises also trigger the brain’s “fight or flight” response, which can lead to an agitated state in your loved one.
Staying Cool in the Heat of the Moment!
If there is any consolation to the high heat, it means you have a good excuse to put off running errands out of your house, and spend some quality time at home with your loved one.