10 Tips On Helping Seniors Stay Safe During The Summer
You or your senior family member’s personal care assistant can help your loved one enjoy the summer season in Gastonia, NC, with these helpful tips
During the summer months, millions of senior Americans prefer to spend time outdoors soaking up the sun and enjoying the warm weather. To help your senior loved one adequately protect themselves and safely enjoy warmer days, an expert personal care assistant from Visiting Angels, the nation’s leading at-home non-medical assisted living service provider in Gastonia, NC, compiled the following tips:
Keep the House Windows Open
It is not uncommon for seniors to lose their sense of body temperature, keep the windows in their home closed, forget to turn on the air conditioning, or wear too many layers of clothes despite the scorching heat outside. This can lead to serious consequences such as heat stroke. With this in mind, our personal care assistant suggests you make sure to open the windows throughout your loved one’s house in order to circulate fresh air and maintain a safe temperature.
Stay Cool Inside Cars
When you are driving your senior parent or relative somewhere, always remember to turn on the A/C. Let the windows stay open if you have to leave the car with your loved one inside. Just like small children, seniors are more likely to overheat in a hot, closed vehicle.
Minimize Exposure to the Sun
Prolonged exposure to the sun increases the risk of sunburns, skin damage, cancer, and overheating heat and exhaustion. Your senior loved one should limit their outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day and make sure to wear loosely-fitting, light-colored clothing while outside.
Stay Well Hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids is essential for everyone. However, seniors are prone to losing fluids at a faster rate than any other age group. Our personal care assistant recommends your loved one drink at least six to eight glasses of liquids daily.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
Remind your loved one to refrain from activities that can be overly exhausting when temperatures are high.
Stay Active, but Cool
Your loved one can and should participate in enjoyable activities that are appropriate for the weather conditions. For example, they can relax by the pool or visit local community centers that provide activities in air-conditioned facilities.
Know Sun Exposure can Affect Certain Medications
Certain medications can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature and produce side effects when the user is exposed to the sun for too long. To avoid this, your senior parent or relative should always read medication labels and consult with their physician.
Wear Sunscreen and Bug Repellent
During the summer season, seniors need to protect their sensitive skin from harmful UV rays and annoying insects. Make sure your senior loved one always applies sunscreen and bug repellant prior to going out.
Establish a Buddy System
Develop a routine where a family member, friend or personal care assistant regularly checks on your senior loved one during a heat wave. This is especially important if your parent or relative is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Recognize the Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Be on the lookout for early signs of heat exhaustion such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and severe headache. If your senior loved one is showing these symptoms, make sure to move them to a cooler spot, keep them hydrated, and call 911.
Visiting Angels of Gastonia, NC, is a leading provider of non-medical in home care services for seniors. To learn more about the in-home assisted living services provided by our staff of compassionate caregivers, please call our Gastonia office at (704) 825-3350 or contact us for more information.
Visiting Angels proudly serves Alexis, Belmont, Bessemer City, Boiling Springs, Casar, Charlotte, Cherryville, Cramerton, Crouse, Dallas, Earl, Fallston, Gastonia, High Shoals, Iron Station, Kings Mountain, Lattimore, Lawndale, Lincolnton, Lowell, McAdenville, Mooresboro, Polkville, Shelby, Stanley, Vale, Waco, and the surrounding areas of North Carolina.