With summer in full swing, people are finding pools, lakes, oceans, and just about any other body of water to cool off in!
Swimming is a great activity for people of all ages but knowing how to be safe while doing so is critical. Water safety is often an overlooked topic for older adults and individuals with cognitive decline. We commonly associate swimming accidents with children and those who don’t know how to swim. However, age-related changes like reduced mobility, balance issues, and memory loss can increase the risk of accidents around water for even life-long swimmers. For those with dementia, confusion and slowed judgment can make an activity like swimming dangerous. Maureen Burke, a licensed occupational therapist and Aging-in-Place Specialist with Emory’s Cognitive Empowerment Program, says, “People with Alzheimer’s and dementia should never swim alone because of memory, judgement, and insight changes. They might not recognize that they are operating at a different level than they were maybe 10 years ago.” Whether you are at a pool or in a natural body of water such as an ocean, lake or river, it is critical to know what precautions to take so that you or someone you care for is safe when swimming.
Common Swim Risks for Aging Adults
Swimming can pose a greater risk for seniors due to age-related changes like decreased muscle strength, balance, and coordination, which can increase the likelihood of slips or falls near water. Additionally, underlying health conditions such as heart disease or limited lung capacity may lead to sudden medical emergencies while in the pool. Reduced body temperature regulation can also make seniors more vulnerable to hypothermia, especially in cooler water.
Key Safety Tips
- Avoid swimming alone: This tip applies to all ages and swimming abilities. A dangerous situation can occur in seconds, and it is important to have another person present who can help if needed.
- Secure pool areas with fences or alarms: Ensuring that your pool at home is safely secured so that no one can accidentally get in who shouldn’t is critical in preventing a potentially fatal incident.
- Check the local information about where you’re swimming: This is primarily for those swimming in natural bodies of water like the ocean, rivers and creeks. For ocean swimming, knowing the rip tide warnings issued on the day you intend to swim is key to ensuring your safety. Rip tide warnings can be found online, and most beaches have flag systems that correlate to the level of danger the tides pose that day. You can find a great beach flag warning system guide here. As for rivers and creeks, the amount of rainfall in the area can greatly impact the height of the water and power of the current. It is important to keep an eye on the weather forecast before and during the time you plan to go swimming.
Tips for Caregivers
- Monitor for signs of confusion or distress: According to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, the most common things to look out for when supervising swimming include gasping for air, a weak swim stroke, bobbing up and down in the water, hand waving or arms out to the sides, and a swimmer floating face down. [1]
- Try to make the swimming environment as stress-free as possible: If you do not have access to a private pool, the Alzheimer’s Society suggests going to a pool during slower, quieter times or off-peak hours. [2] A loud, crowded, and chaotic pool environment can be overwhelming for a person with dementia and make it harder for a caregiver to supervise them.
- Provide clear instructions and supervision: The National Institute on Aging recommends that when adapting activities for patients with dementia, it is important to assess whether they can do the activity solo or need more hands-on attention. [3] If they require more assistance, you can clearly instruct them on how to get into the pool and to hold on to the edge for balance. You could also go into the pool with them. Making sure you’re nearby for help while allowing them to still feel a level of independence is important.
- Use flotation devices: Using flotation devices such as a life vest, a floating belt, or a pool noodle can add a level of safety and leisure to the experience. It can put both the swimmer and their caregiver at ease knowing they have something to hold on to.
Important Takeaways
Staying safe around water is possible with planning and care. It is important to acknowledge that as we age, parts of our bodies don’t operate the way they may have before, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop enjoying the activities we love. Swimming is not only a great way to stay cool in the hot summer months, but it’s also a great form of exercise. Ensuring that we prioritize drowning prevention and regular safety precautions, especially for swimmers with cognitive impairment, is key to keeping swimming fun and safe!
[1] https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/summer-safety-know-the-signs-of-water-distress.html
[2] https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-and-factsheets/dementia-together/help-person-dementia-enjoy-swimming
[3] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving/adapting-activities-people-alzheimers-disease
Header Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/swimmers-swimming-pool-olympic-pool-79592/