May 30, 2025

Wildfire Resources

How to respond during an evacuation:

People living with dementia can be especially vulnerable to hectic environments and emotional trauma. They may have a reduced ability to understand what is happening, and may not remember or understand information about the disaster they’re experiencing. Be alert to potential reactions that may result from changes in routine, travelling or new environments.

  • When appropriate, inform others (hotel or shelter staff, family members, friends, airline attendants) that your family member or friend has dementia and may not understand what is happening.
  • Do not leave someone living with dementia alone. It only takes a few minutes to wander away and get lost.
  • Be alert for changes in routine, travelling and new environments, which can cause agitation, getting lost and an increase in symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and sleep disturbance.
  • Do your best to remain calm. The person with dementia will respond to the emotional tone you set.

Tips for preventing agitation

  • Reassure the person living with dementia. Hold hands or put your arm on their shoulder. Tell them that things are going to be fine.
  • Find outlets for anxious energy. Take a walk together or engage them in simple tasks.
  • Redirect their attention if they becomes upset.
  • Move them to a safer or quieter place, if possible. Limit stimulation.
  • Make sure they take medications as scheduled.
  • Try to schedule regular meals and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
  • Avoid elaborate or detailed explanations. Provide information using concrete terms. Follow brief explanations with reassurance.
  • Be prepared to provide more help with all routine activities.
  • Pay attention to cues that they may be overwhelmed (fidgeting, pacing).
  • Remind them that they are in the right place.

Helpful hints during an episode of agitation

  • Approach them from the front and use their name.
  • Use calm, positive statements and a patient, low-pitched voice. Reassure them.
  • Respond to the emotions they are expressing rather than the content of the words. For example, say, “You’re frightened and want to go home. It’s okay. I’m right here with you.”
  • Don’t argue or try to correct them. Instead, affirm their experience, reassure them and try to divert their attention. For example, “The noise in this shelter is frightening. Let’s see if we can find a quieter spot. Let’s look at your photo book together.”

Take care of yourself

  • Take care of yourself by finding a good listener to hear your thoughts and feelings about the event.
  • Find moments to breathe, meditate and reflect.

Where to get more help or information

Always look to follow evacuation directives. Province of Manitoba | Wildfire Information

Air pollution and dementia:

International research shows that exposure to air pollution in later life raises dementia risk by an average of 10 per cent.

Studies by researchers at Canadian universities have also shown:

  • a link between particle air pollution and the number of people newly developing dementia over a certain time period
  • a connection between nitrogen dioxide pollution and the number of people newly developing dementia over a certain time period
  • a significant association between the onset of dementia and the distance to major roads

Wildfire smoke and air pollution

Air pollution and dementia has become an even more urgent topic now in light of Canada’s 2025 wildfires.

Wildfire smoke contains a range of different pollutants. This includes particle pollution, which researchers associate with increased dementia risk.

This year, as of June 5, 2025, there have been 1,746 fires throughout Canada and 2.6 million hectares have been consumed—an area larger than Vermont.

So how do we move forward with this research and experience? What steps can we take to support brain health in these challenging circumstances? Where do experts see opportunities for collective or policy action? Watch the “let’s talk about air pollution and dementia” video from 2023 to learn more.

Links shared in the talk chat