Winter Safety Checklist When a Loved One Has Dementia

Winter can be a challenging season for people living with dementia and their family caregivers. Cold weather, shorter days, and holiday disruptions can create confusion, agitation, and increased risk of accidents. Whether you’re a caregiver, family member, or friend, preparing a winter safety plan can make a tremendous difference in keeping your loved one safe.

Below is a practical winter safety checklist to help guide you through the season.

6 Winter Safety Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

 

1. Keep the Home Warm and Safe

✔ Check the heating system.
Ensure the furnace or heating system is working properly before the cold weather sets in. Schedule an annual inspection, replace filters, and keep vents clear.

✔ Maintain a safe indoor temperature.
People with dementia may not recognize when it’s too cold. Keep indoor temperatures between 68–72°F (20–22°C). Avoid space heaters, as they can be fire hazards, or choose models with automatic shut-off features and safety guards.

✔ Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Install carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms and test them monthly. Make sure chimneys and vents are clear if you use fireplaces or gas appliances.

✔ Reduce fall risks.
Cold weather often brings wet shoes, snow, and cluttered walkways. Use non-slip mats at entrances, keep pathways clear, and mop up any moisture immediately. Add night-lights in hallways and bathrooms to prevent disorientation on dark winter evenings.

2. Dress for Warmth, Safety, and Comfort

✔ Layer clothing appropriately.
People with dementia often struggle to recognize temperature changes, so it’s important to help them dress in warm sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, and thermal socks.

✔ Protect extremities.
Make sure hats, gloves, and scarves are readily available. Mittens are often better than gloves for people with dexterity challenges. For staying warm indoors, provide slippers with non-slip soles to help prevent falls indoors.

✔ Avoid confusion with clothing.
Lay out clothes in the order they should be worn, and remove off-season garments from closets to simplify choices.

3. Plan for Outdoor Safety

✔ Supervise outdoor activities.
If your loved one enjoys walking, ensure that someone accompanies them. Ice and snow can make surfaces dangerously slippery, and individuals with dementia may underestimate the cold or become disoriented.

✔ Utilize GPS tracking devices.
Wandering risk increases during the winter when visibility is low. Ensure your loved one wears an ID bracelet or carries an identification card with contact information. Also, consider investing in GPS-enabled wearable devices to help locate them if they wander.

✔ Clear walkways.
Keep steps and driveways free of snow and ice. Use pet-safe ice melt and place sturdy handrails near entrances.

4. Monitor Health and Nutrition

✔ Encourage proper hydration and nutrition.
Cold weather can reduce thirst, but dehydration is still a risk in the winter. Offer warm drinks like tea or broth, and prepare nutritious soups and stews that provide comfort and energy.

✔ Manage medications carefully.
Ensure medications are taken as prescribed. Store them safely away from freezing temperatures or direct heat sources.

5. Promote Emotional Well-Being

✔ Keep a consistent schedule.
Shorter days and longer nights can worsen confusion and sundowning. Try to stick to a regular schedule whenever possible, such as getting up and going to bed at the same times each day. That prevents your loved one from having to rely on short-term memory, which is often compromised early in the disease process.

✔ Bring light into the home.
Open curtains during the day and use bright, full-spectrum lights in the evening to help regulate circadian rhythms. People with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia often struggle with getting their days and nights mixed up.

✔ Stay socially connected.
Winter isolation can lead to depression and anxiety. Arrange regular phone calls, video chats, or safe visits from friends and family. Listening to music, looking at photo albums, or doing simple crafts together can lift spirits and keep the mind active.

6. Prepare for Emergencies

✔ Create an emergency kit.
Make sure to create an emergency kit for your car just in case you run into trouble away from home. Include warm blankets, a flashlight, batteries, bottled water, snacks, medications, and a list of emergency contacts.

✔ Have a power outage plan.
Know where flashlights and extra batteries are stored, and consider a generator for critical medical equipment.

✔ Share your plan.
If your family member still lives alone, inform close neighbors about their condition. They can help check in during severe weather or power outages.

Specialized Dementia Care at Heritage

For many families, caring for a senior loved one with dementia at home can become overwhelming. Loved ones worry about safety, nutrition, isolation, and more. If that sounds familiar, we invite you to schedule a visit to a Heritage dementia care community near you.

Our dedicated memory care programs help adults with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia live their best quality of life. Call us to set up a time for a personal visit and tour!