The long, sunny days of summer invite us to relax and reconnect. But for families caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, the season can bring both joy and unique challenges. Heat sensitivity, changes in routine, and increased social activity may lead to stress or overstimulation for loved ones with memory loss.
At The Kensington Sierra Madre, we understand that caregiving in summer means balancing seasonal fun with thoughtful planning. Whether you’re visiting a loved one in memory care or planning outdoor time together, these compassionate summer Alzheimer’s care tips can help you create meaningful moments while keeping everyone comfortable and safe.
Simplify Summer Activities
Hot weather and increased daylight can disrupt routines and increase fatigue. Simplifying plans helps your loved one enjoy summer without becoming overwhelmed.
Try this:
- Choose quiet parks or shaded backyard spaces for gatherings.
- Limit outings to early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak heat.
- Opt for familiar, soothing activities like a picnic with soft music or a walk around the block.
- Avoid crowded venues, loud fireworks, or excessive travel that might confuse or tire them.
Explore our suites and floor plans to see how our calm, home-like environment supports residents all year round.
Maintain a Familiar Routine
Alzheimer’s and dementia thrive on predictability. Summer breaks, travel, or changes in caregiver schedules can throw off the structure your loved one depends on.
Tip: Try to keep meals, rest times, and bedtime consistent—even when school’s out or vacation guests arrive. When visiting our memory care neighborhoods, ask the team about the best times for engagement.
Routine = Reassurance. Predictability helps reduce confusion and supports emotional stability for both caregivers and loved ones.
Embrace Sensory Summer Joys
Memory loss may affect complex thinking, but sensory experiences often remain vivid. Summer is full of simple, grounding pleasures that can spark joy.
Incorporate these sensory moments:
- Enjoy the smell of sunscreen, garden herbs, or fresh citrus.
- Offer chilled fruit or soft-serve ice cream to evoke pleasant memories.
- Play soft nature sounds or favorite music while sitting outside under a tree.
- Encourage your loved one to touch water gently in a fountain or splash pad.
Read how our life enrichment team integrates sensory experiences into daily care.
Invite Gentle Participation
Purposeful involvement fosters dignity and connection. Choose small, achievable tasks that let your loved one be part of the summer fun.
Some ideas:
- Help water flowers or tend a potted plant.
- Stir a pitcher of lemonade or arrange paper napkins.
- Look at nature magazines or photo albums together on the patio.
- Listen to grandchildren read a story in the shade.
Participation should focus on presence, not perfection.
Set Expectations with Visitors
Summer often means more guests, but that can be overwhelming. Prepare friends and family for your loved one’s needs so everyone can have a more relaxed visit.
Before guests arrive:
- Share a brief update about your loved one’s abilities and comfort levels.
- Encourage one-on-one conversations in calm settings.
- Suggest guests speak slowly, smile, and avoid correcting or testing memory.
Learn more about our approach to memory care and how we support positive interactions for residents.
Care for the Caregiver
Caregiving doesn’t stop for summer, and it can become even more demanding with added activities or heat-related fatigue.
Support yourself too:
- Take regular hydration and rest breaks.
- Ask for help from family, neighbors, or respite services.
- Reflect on joyful summer memories, even bittersweet ones.
- Join a support group, like those offered at The Kensington Sierra Madre, to share the journey with others who understand.
Your well-being fuels your caregiving capacity.
Plan Thoughtful Visits to Memory Care
If your loved one resides at The Kensington Sierra Madre, summer can be a beautiful time to visit and engage in seasonal events.
Consider these visit tips:
- Visit in the cooler hours of the day, such as late morning or early evening.
- Bring a favorite summer hat, sweater, or photo from a past vacation.
- Join in seasonal life enrichment activities designed for memory care residents.
- Explore our shaded outdoor areas for a quiet, meaningful chat.
Check our community events calendar for upcoming seasonal gatherings.
Reimagine Traditions for the Season
It’s okay to let go of traditions that no longer serve your family or loved one. Replace them with simpler, summer-friendly rituals.
New traditions to try:
- Share an evening popsicle or iced tea in the backyard.
- Watch home videos or slideshows from past vacations.
- Light a citronella candle and share a memory at twilight.
- Create a memory box filled with summer mementos such as shells, photos, and postcards.
Traditions evolve, but meaning remains.
Know When to Ask for Help
If you’re feeling physically or emotionally taxed by summer caregiving, you’re not alone. The Kensington Sierra Madre offers supportive care that lifts the burden while enhancing the quality of life for your loved one.
Consider:
- Respite stays to give yourself rest and renewal.
- Personalized support from our expert memory care teams.
- Full-time placement in our Connections or Haven neighborhoods for compassionate summer care—and beyond.
Schedule a tour or call to speak with our care team.
Keeping the Heart of Summer
The beauty of summer lies in its small joys—a breeze, a smile, a song on the radio. Alzheimer’s may change the way your loved one experiences the world, but it does not take away their ability to feel love, safety, and connection.
At The Kensington Sierra Madre, we’re here to help you nurture those moments.
Join us in creating a season of gentle sunshine, shared laughter, and heartfelt care.
Contact us today to learn more or visit Our Promise to see why families trust us with their loved ones.
The Kensington Sierra Madre
245 West Sierra Madre Boulevard · Sierra Madre, CA 91024
We Promise to love and care for your family as we do our own.