My lovely mum, like most elderly people, especially those with dementia, has always felt the cold acutely. The central heating is always turned up fully and the electric fire is on, even during a heatwave. Mum wears several jumpers and has blankets over her knees and often a hotwater bottle tucked behind her back for good measure.
Last week however on, a bitterly cold day, she was found sat in the porch the external door open in just light indoor clothes as she was "sunbathing". It wasn't even one of those bright, cold but sunny days, where the sun could have confused her into thinking it was summer.
She is often very confused about the seasons, but I found this behaviour really strange.
Mum lives alone but my brother or myself are there most of the day with her and she doesn't really go out by herself, so I am not unduly worried about her wandering out inadequately clothed.
I just wondered if anyone knew whether people with dementia can lose the ability to actually feel what the temperature is ?
Last week however on, a bitterly cold day, she was found sat in the porch the external door open in just light indoor clothes as she was "sunbathing". It wasn't even one of those bright, cold but sunny days, where the sun could have confused her into thinking it was summer.
She is often very confused about the seasons, but I found this behaviour really strange.
Mum lives alone but my brother or myself are there most of the day with her and she doesn't really go out by herself, so I am not unduly worried about her wandering out inadequately clothed.
I just wondered if anyone knew whether people with dementia can lose the ability to actually feel what the temperature is ?