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PRESS RELEASE
Barcelona, 13 July 2021

The recommendations of Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona

Experts warn of the importance of visiting familiar surroundings and maintaining routines to live with Alzheimer’s during the summer.

• Experts insist on the importance of being in relaxed environments and maintaining physical and cognitive activity
• Measures should be taken to avoid dehydration and other health problems resulting from high temperatures, as well as taking extra care when in contact with people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Ace

The professionals at Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona warn of the importance of maintaining routines during the summer holidays, visiting familiar surroundings, and taking care of diet and hydration to avoid heatstroke. This year, and in light of the very significant rise in COVID-19 cases, the organisation places special emphasis on taking extra precautions when in contact with unvaccinated people who may transmit the virus. These are some of the tips detailed by the experts at Ace in a support guide for people living with Alzheimer’s disease during this period.

It is common for the routines and habits of many families to change at this time of year, but these changes can directly affect people with Alzheimer’s and their carers. Over the past year, due to the measures to tackle COVID-19, the routines of people with Alzheimer’s have been substantially disrupted, which is why it is even more important to maintain them.

The experts at Ace also emphasise maintaining proper nutrition and hydration to prevent heatstroke and engaging in cognitive stimulation activities such as reading, going for walks or painting. It is important to maintain daily cognitive and physical activity, establishing a series of guidelines or daily activities and involving the person in simple tasks such as laying the table or playing a game of dominoes. In this way, situations of anxiety or stress caused by an excess of stimuli can be avoided.

According to specialists, familiar and relaxed environments are the most suitable for people with Alzheimer’s to feel comfortable and avoid situations of danger and disorientation. They also recommend that those affected are accompanied at all times, especially in open spaces such as the beach.

The deputy director of the Ace Day Care Unit, America Morera, states that the most important thing is to adapt to each person’s needs and abilities, and she highlights the importance of the main carer also being able to rest during this time. ‘There’s no need to give up on holidays; it’s about adapting to the new situation so that summer can be a time of rest and comfort for everyone,’ explains Morera.

Dehydration, a risk factor

High temperatures and excessive heat can cause a loss of fluids and minerals necessary for our body to function properly. It is common for people with dementia not to remember the last time they drank, to feel less thirsty and, in addition, to have a limited and varied diet. Furthermore, they are also likely to be exposed to the sun for longer than is advisable, and therefore there is a risk of dehydration and heatstroke.

To avoid this, Natàlia Tantinyà, Head of Nursing at the Ace Day Care Unit, urges carers to be especially vigilant and to ensure that people with dementia maintain healthy habits and routines to cope with the heat. ‘Depending on each person’s daily habits and routines, it is essential to ensure that the appropriate measures are taken to prevent heatstroke: drinking water regularly, not going out during the hottest hours (such as midday or early afternoon), avoiding very hot meals and wearing light clothing,’ points out Tantinyà.

These are some of the guidelines that professionals advise following to avoid dehydration or other health problems resulting from high temperatures. The signs and symptoms of heatstroke can include a headache and dizziness, rapid breathing and heart rate, or even behavioural changes.

For more information:

Isabel Rodríguez

93 444 73 18

irodriguez@fundacioace.org

Marta Carbó

617 61 85 59

mcarbo@undatia.es

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