Summer brings longer days, warmer weather, and plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy the outdoors. For people living with dementia, summer can still be a joyful and meaningful time, with a few thoughtful adjustments.
The key is keeping things simple, familiar, and comfortable, while focusing on connection rather than packed schedules.
Enjoy the outdoors in small, relaxed moments
Fresh air can do wonders for mood and wellbeing, but long or busy outings can be tiring or overwhelming. Short trips outside work best, especially in the morning or later in the afternoon when the sun is gentler.
This could be as easy as sitting in the garden, enjoying a quiet local park, or spending time on the deck with a cup of tea. A little time outdoors often goes a long way.
Shade and comfort matter more than you think
New Zealand sun can be intense, especially for older adults. Creating shade makes outdoor time far more enjoyable and safer. Think wide-brim hats, umbrellas, gazebos, or sitting under trees.
Light, breathable clothing and comfortable seating help people feel at ease and encourage them to stay outside a bit longer without discomfort.
Lean into simple sensory experiences
Summer offers plenty of sensory moments that do not rely on memory, just being present. These can be calming and grounding for someone living with dementia.
Feeling grass under bare feet, listening to birds or the ocean, smelling herbs or flowers, or holding smooth stones or shells can all create gentle enjoyment without pressure.
Gentle water activities can be soothing
Water has a naturally calming effect when introduced safely. This does not mean swimming or anything complex.
Wading feet in a paddling pool, dipping hands into a bowl of cool water, or sitting at the beach simply watching the waves can be incredibly relaxing. Always supervise closely and choose quiet, uncrowded spots.
Keep routines as steady as possible
Summer often brings visitors, holidays, and changes to normal schedules, but familiar routines help reduce anxiety for people with dementia.
Try to keep regular meal times, rest periods, and sleep routines where you can. Even when plans change, having familiar anchors throughout the day can make summer feel more manageable.
Help them stay cool and hydrated
People living with dementia may not recognise thirst or remember to drink. Offering fluids regularly is important, even if they do not ask.
Water, diluted juice, ice blocks, or fruit with high water content can all help. Cool cloths, fans, and good airflow indoors also make hot days more comfortable.
Stick with familiar summer activities
Activities that were enjoyed earlier in life often still bring comfort and joy. Gardening, watering plants, folding beach towels, shell collecting, or listening to music from their younger years can all feel familiar and reassuring.
The focus is not on doing things “right”, but on enjoying the moment together.
Choose calm over crowded
Busy beaches, loud events, or packed holiday destinations can feel confusing or distressing. Quiet beaches, back gardens, or peaceful reserves are often a better option.
Less noise and fewer people usually mean a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Include them in family moments
If your loved one lives in a nursing home, inviting them out for a short walk, picnic, or time in the sun can be a meaningful change of scenery. These moments do not need to be long to be enjoyable.
Focus on safety without limiting joy
Sunscreen, sunglasses, closed shoes, and clear boundaries all help keep summer safe. Rather than avoiding activities altogether, adapting the environment often allows people with dementia to continue enjoying the season.
Summer does not have to be complicated to be special. With patience, flexibility, and a slower pace, people living with dementia can still experience the warmth, connection, and simple pleasures that make a New Zealand summer so memorable.