Keeping them warm

The year 2010 has certainly snuck up on us. So far, it has delivered us a Florida winter unlike any other that I've witnessed before.

I'm sure if my father was still with us, he wouldn't be very happy about this weather at all. I can hear his voice now, questioning, "Are you sure we're living in Florida?" Like most seniors his age, he began shivering when the temperature started dipping below 85 degrees. That's why he always wore his flannel shirt and suede hat in the middle of August.

Weather and temperature extremes are a major concern for any caregiver watching over an elderly person.

Patients' suffering from Alzheimer's bring on additional worries during a cold spell. I used to write poster size notes and plaster them along the wall of my dad's bedroom where the heater was installed. "Do not touch any buttons on the heater," they stated. The notes didn't work. Every time I walked into that room, my father had the controls on full blast: A potential fire hazard, without a doubt.

If you turn your back for a minute, an Alzheimer's patient might have a space heater placed next to his or her bed just inches away from the blankets.

Also, you may think that you wouldn't have to worry about patients wandering outside. After all, who would want to go outside and be anesthetized by the blistering cold. But, just the fact that the climate change has interrupted their daily routine will increase their confusion. Suddenly, they'll be moving from room to room searching for additional warmth, and then the next thing you know they're out the door.

This winter a woman from Nashville, Tenn. put her Alzheimer's-ridden husband to bed around 10 p.m. one night, only to awaken with him nowhere to be found. Looking out her front door she spotted him sitting on the ground with his back propped up against a tree. Sadly, he had died from hypothermia overnight. The temperature had fallen to a mere 15 degrees.

If you're a caregiver, neighbor or just a close friend, go the extra mile during these cold spells. If you know of a senior in your neighborhood that may need assistance, be the Good Samaritan.

This may sound absurd, but someone suffering from dementia could have their heat blasting on high and actually have one of their back windows wide-open. Maybe they have central air and the filter hasn't been changed in years, preventing the heat from working efficiently.

The point is, whether they are suffering from a memory-impairment, physical disability or just too proud to ask for help, just five minutes of your time could possibly make the difference between their living in a safe environment or not.

Of course, being a caregiver you will need to make sure they have extra heavy blankets handy and their winter clothes are out of storage.

I know how tough it is to get an elderly patient to drink plenty of water. But, when it is cold, it's extra important to keep them hydrated.

Cold weather is hard on everyone, but, it can be especially tough on our senior citizens.