Summer can be a sensitive time for people with dementia and their carers. Usual activities often stop, services in the area reduce their offering, the heat can make the daily routine more tiring, holidays and travel bring new needs to manage. To accompany families who find themselves facing this situation, the Alzheimer’s Federation Italy has published a decalogue with practical suggestions to help people with dementia and caregivers experience the summer as peacefully as possible, preserving daily well-being and finding opportunities for leisure, sharing and relief both at home and outdoors. The Decalogue was written by Susanna De Biagioccupational therapist of the Federation, in collaboration with Paola Ossola, vice-president of Progetto Rughe ODV, an association among the promoters of the Friendly Community of People with Dementia of Gavirate (VA).
THE DECALOGUE OF THE ITALIAN ALZHEIMER FEDERATION FOR THE SUMMER PERIOD
1. Start from the person’s experience
Before choosing an activity it is useful to ask yourself what the person likes to do, what their habits are, what places they frequented before the diagnosis, what can put them in difficulty. The most effective proposals, in fact, are those that have a connection with his history, his interests and his way of life regardless of his current abilities.
2. Choose familiar and recognizable experiences
There is no need for complex or “special” activities: often the most suitable are those related to everyday life: preparing a snack, watering the plants, listening to music, leafing through photographs, rearranging small objects, reading the newspaper, sewing or taking care of your pet.
3. Adapt to the person’s current capabilities
The same activity can be proposed in different ways depending on the person’s level of autonomy. It’s important to look at what they can still do, which steps require help, and how to simplify the experience without taking away the dignity and pleasure of participation.
4. Use words that invite collaboration
The way you propose something to do together can make the difference. Phrases like “Can you help me?”, “Shall we do this together?”, “I’d love for you to teach me” can be more effective than directives or corrections. The goal is to engage, not test.
5. Provide short times and frequent breaks
In summer, and especially on the hottest days, it is important not to overload the person. Activities can last between 15 and 60 minutes, always with the possibility to interrupt, take a break or change. Better something short but successful than a proposal that is too long and tiring.
6. Build a simple and flexible routine
Having a few recognizable moments throughout your day or week can help you maintain direction and peace of mind. However, the routine must remain flexible: the number and duration of activities must be adapted to tiredness, heat, mood and the conditions of the day.
7. Prepare easy-to-use materials in advance
It may be useful to keep small “boxes” ready with the necessary material for some entertainment that the person with dementia may enjoy: photographs, balls of yarn, magazines, objects to tidy up, colours. Having everything at hand also helps when you need to change plans at the last moment.
8. Alternate time indoors and outdoors
At home you can propose simple household care tasks, music to listen to or sing together, card or memory games, some gentle gymnastics exercises. Outdoors, simple gardening activities, short walks with a stop at the café or library or participation in a community event may be suitable, taking care to choose well-known, quiet and accessible places.
9. Always plan safely
Before going out it is important to check the temperature, weather and warnings, avoiding the hottest hours and always remember to bring water. It is advisable to choose shaded routes and check in advance the presence of benches and bathrooms and the possibility of a quick return. In case of intense heat, mugginess or thunderstorms it is better to choose an indoor alternative.
10. Don’t do everything yourself
Friends, neighbours, volunteers, associations and local services can be a precious help in everyday life, offering opportunities for socialising, participation and relief. The caregiver must not hesitate to ask for support: even sharing small moments of care can lighten the load and help the whole family live with greater serenity.
For information, support and advice, the Alzheimer Federation makes available to family members and caregivers the free Alzheimer’s emergency service: by calling 02809767 from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm, it is possible to speak with experts from different fields (from social welfare and psychology to social security and legal) to receive listening, guidance and practical advice completely free of charge. At other times and on weekends you can leave a message on the answering machine or write to [email protected].
