Alzheimer's Caregiving in the Summer: My Top 3 Strategies

This is the blueprint, and no one can convince me otherwise: creating a structured, sensory-aware plan for the warmer months is one of THE most powerful ways to avoid burnout when it comes to Alzheimer's caregiving in the summer (pun intended)!

3 tips for summertime Alzheimer's caregiving

And as a caregiver for over 10 years, here are the top 3 things that worked for me:

Hydration hero

Caring for my mom, who had dementia and Alzheimer's, meant keeping up with a lot of dietary changes. She frequently got bored with plain water or just refused to drink it, so I got creative and started researching alternatives like:

• Flavored electrolyte drinks (Liquid IV always a favorite)
• Smoothies + homemade popsicles
• Water-rich fruits (mango, honeydew, watermelon, berries)
• Bright, high-contrast bowls (my mom LOVED a red moment)

I created a gentle routine for her around hydration that looked like her enjoying tea in the morning, electrolytes mid-morning, a smoothie with lunch, and a fruit salad in the afternoon.

Sensory style

Switching to breathable fabrics like lightweight gauze, cashmere, 100% cotton, and linen makes a big difference in how we and our loved ones stay regulated and comfortable. In the warmer months, I prioritized lightweight, breathable fabrics to prevent overheating, itching, and agitation, which is such an important part of Alzheimer's caregiving in the summer.

So I leaned heavily into capsule wardrobes, which can be akin to a uniform. Brands like Quince, which seasonally curates collections that are easy to rotate and mix and match, became a go-to. I loved using this as a way to lower decision fatigue and to feel confident and prepared for my day of caregiving. I also loved using this for my mom, customizing her wardrobe to her preference of color, which was red. She always got excited to wear her clothes as she recognized herself in her favorite hue. And that was always the goal for me, to sustain her: familiarity, comfort, dignity.

Glow BIG or go home

Don't get me wrong, summer has its benefits—the nice tan, the short shorts, etc.—but that summer heat is nothing to mess around with. It isn't just uncomfortable; it can be dangerous, so with that in mind, I moved differently:

• Scheduling early morning appointments to beat the midday heat
• Switching to at-home visits whenever possible
• Keeping our outings intentional and short

And when we DID go outside, it was me, UV, and mom:

• SPF everything
• Sunglasses
• Hand sanitizer
• Water bottle
• Umbrella for shade
• Small bag with essentials (tissues, meds, candy, etc.)

Bonus: cooling towels or neck wraps can also be beneficial, but only if your loved one tolerates them well. And at home, you can keep things simple by using fans and AC, keeping the airflow going by swapping to lightweight curtains, and dimming the lighting.

The bottom line for summer caregiving

The TLDR of it all is that no one says enough about Alzheimer's caregiving in the summer and how it requires a different kind of strategy. Trust me when I say: you are not "doing too much" by planning ahead.

So this is your reminder:

• Prep the drinks
• Curate the wardrobe
• Rethink the schedule/time

If this helped you, save it for later and send it to a caregiver you think will benefit from it — because Alzheimer's caregiving in the summer goes so much smoother with a little preparation.