Winter brings a specific set of challenges for anyone caring for a loved one with dementia. Shorter days and darker evenings can worsen confusion and sundowning. Icy pavements raise the risk of falls. Cold homes pose a real health risk for someone who may not recognise or communicate that they’re cold. And seasonal illnesses hit people with dementia harder than most.
None of this means winter has to be a season of worry. With the right preparation, most risks are manageable. Here’s a practical, room-by-room and issue-by-issue guide to help your loved one stay safe, warm, and comfortable through the colder months.
Why Winter Is Particularly Challenging with Dementia
Dementia can affect a person’s ability to regulate body temperature, recognise when they’re cold, and communicate discomfort. Combined with reduced mobility risk from icy conditions and the natural worsening of confusion in darker, shorter days, winter presents a genuine seasonal spike in risk — not just an inconvenience.
Understanding why helps you focus your efforts where they matter most.
Keeping the Home Warm and Safe
Set a consistent temperature. Aim to keep the main living areas around 18–21°C (65–70°F). People with dementia may not think to adjust the heating themselves, so it’s worth setting it on a timer or thermostat rather than relying on them to manage it.
Check for cold spots. Draughts under doors, ill-fitting windows, and unheated hallways or bathrooms can catch people off guard, particularly during a trip to the toilet at night. Draught excluders and simple insulation fixes make a real difference.
Layer clothing and bedding. Rather than one heavy jumper, several thin layers are easier to add or remove and allow more flexibility if body temperature preferences change through the day. Consider warm, easy-to-manage nightwear too — this matters more than it sounds, since nighttime bathroom trips in a cold house are a common source of chills and falls.
Be alert to hypothermia signs. Someone with dementia may not recognise or report feeling cold. Watch for confusion (which can be hard to distinguish from dementia symptoms), slurred speech, drowsiness, or shivering, and don’t assume “they’d tell us if they were cold” — often, they won’t.
Reducing Fall Risk
Falls are a leading cause of hospital admission in winter, and dementia significantly increases fall risk due to disorientation and mobility changes.
- Keep entryways and paths clear of ice. Grit or salt front steps and paths regularly.
- Improve lighting, especially for early morning and evening, when it’s darkest and disorientation from sundowning may already be at play.
- Remove loose rugs and trailing cables, which become more hazardous when someone is also wearing bulkier winter clothing or footwear.
- Choose supportive, non-slip footwear rather than slippers with worn soles, particularly for anyone still moving around outside.
- Avoid unnecessary outdoor trips during icy conditions, and if a walk is important for wellbeing, go at the warmest, brightest part of the day with appropriate support.
Managing Darker Days and Sundowning
Sundowning — increased confusion, agitation, or restlessness in the late afternoon and evening — often worsens in winter simply because darkness falls so much earlier.
Practical approaches that help:
- Keep indoor lighting bright during the day and in the early evening, to reduce the contrast between daylight hours and dark ones
- Maintain a consistent daily routine, since predictability tends to ease anxiety
- Try to get some natural daylight exposure earlier in the day, even a short time by a window, as this can help regulate sleep-wake patterns
- Avoid scheduling appointments or visitors for late afternoon, when confusion may be at its peak
If sundowning becomes a significant daily challenge, it’s worth discussing with a GP or dementia specialist, as there may be additional strategies or support worth exploring.
Protecting Against Winter Illness
People with dementia are often more vulnerable to complications from colds, flu, and other winter illnesses, partly because they may not communicate symptoms clearly or may forget to take prescribed treatments.
- Stay up to date on flu and other recommended vaccinations — speak to a GP about what’s advised for your loved one’s specific situation
- Watch for non-verbal signs of illness — reduced appetite, increased confusion, withdrawal, or general listlessness can all signal something’s wrong, even without a clear complaint
- Keep a simple, visible medication routine, since forgetting doses is more likely when someone is also feeling unwell
- Stock up on essentials in advance where possible, so a snowy day doesn’t mean an unplanned trip out for medication or food
Nutrition and Hydration in Winter
It’s easy to overlook, but dehydration and poor nutrition are just as much a winter risk as a summer one — people often drink less when it’s cold, even though the body still needs adequate fluids.
- Offer warm drinks regularly throughout the day (tea, soup, warm squash) as an easy way to combine hydration with comfort
- Keep an eye on appetite, which can dip in winter months, particularly around seasonal illness or reduced activity levels
- Warm, familiar comfort foods can also help maintain a sense of routine and enjoyment during darker, less active months
How Home Care Helps Through Winter
Having consistent, trained support through the winter months can meaningfully reduce risk — not just through hands-on help, but through an extra set of eyes checking for cold spots, fall hazards, and early signs of illness that might otherwise go unnoticed.
At AshwellCare, our carers are trained to spot the subtle seasonal changes that matter — from a home that’s crept a few degrees too cold, to early signs that sundowning is worsening as the evenings draw in. Whether it’s a few hours a week or full-time support, having someone present through the darker, colder months gives many families real peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dementia get worse in winter? Dementia itself doesn’t get objectively worse due to season, but symptoms like sundowning and confusion can appear more pronounced due to shorter daylight hours, disrupted routines, and reduced activity levels.
What temperature should I keep the house for someone with dementia? Generally between 18–21°C (65–70°F) in main living areas is recommended, with particular attention to bathrooms and hallways, which tend to be colder and are commonly used at night.
How can I tell if someone with dementia is too cold if they can’t tell me? Watch for physical signs like shivering, pale or blotchy skin, and cold hands or feet, as well as behavioural signs like increased confusion, drowsiness, or slurred speech, which can indicate hypothermia risk.
Is it safe for someone with dementia to go outside in winter? Yes, with sensible precautions — appropriate clothing, non-slip footwear, gritted paths, and timing walks for the warmest, brightest part of the day. Avoid outdoor trips during icy or severe weather.
What should be in a winter emergency plan for someone with dementia? At minimum: a torch and batteries, blankets, a few days of essential medication, an emergency contact list, and a clear plan for who to contact if scheduled care is disrupted by weather.
This article is for general informational purposes and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you have concerns about a loved one’s health this winter, please consult their GP.