Alzheimer’s Foundation Issues Winter Warning As Subzero Temps Hit

Bitter cold and dangerous wind chills have prompted winter weather warnings, closed schools, shuttered state government and suspended mail service in Wisconsin and other states.

Public agencies across Wisconsin have issued safety tips, including the state Department of Health Services.

Among those who are especially vulnerable are people with Alzheimer’s disease. Wandering is a common behavior among individuals with the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of American, which issued a cold weather warning this week to families and other caregivers.

Alzheimer’s patients may not be able to fully understand how severe the weather is or may not be able to fully remember safety tips, said Dr. Michael Malone, medical director of Aurora Health Care-Senior Services. They may be prompted to go outside when others do, like family members or staff at an assisted living facility.

“They may get triggered either because other folks are leaving so that may signal to the older person that it’s time to leave,” he explained.

Most of those with dementia in Wisconsin live at home with family members who can watch over them, Malone said. Family can take measures to prevent falls and other injuries like burns. In this cold, some may be trying to warm themselves by boiling water to put in a hot water bottle. Others may turn on the oven to try and ward off the cold.

“Generally you’ve got to make sure the older adult is using good common sense during this time,” Malone said. “If they are trying to stay warm in their home, that they use safe strategies to do so.”

Electric heaters may also pose a fire risk. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America recommends using a space heater that automatically turns off when it reaches a set temperature or tips over.

“Accidents will happen, but you just want to make sure that folks don’t take unnecessary risks,” Malone said.

In Wisconsin, four older adults went missing in January and three were safely located, according to Wisconsin Department of Justice Silver Alert. The program began in 2014 and is similar to Amber Alert, a notification system to find missing children.

A Silver Alert can be issued if it’s within the first 72 hours the person has been missing and if the person is more than 60 years old and has Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other permanent cognitive issues.