How At-Home Elder Care from Visiting Angels Helps Seniors in McKinney, TX, and Surrounding Areas Stay Safe During the Summer

Are you worried about your loved one’s safety during the extremely hot days of summer? Here’s how our at-home elder care services help seniors in McKinney, Allen, Prosper, Frisco and surrounding areas in Collin County, TX stay cool and comfortable.

As temperatures rise drastically during the dog days of summer in Collin County, people of all ages look for ways to cool off and avoid excessive heat and sunlight exposure.

As a family caregiver, you may feel the pressure to keep your senior loved one safe. Even though sunlight is a great source of vitamin D, older adults are more prone to heat-related illnesses and should stay in cool and comfortable places as much as possible.

With some extra planning and at-home elder care services from Visiting Angels McKinney, your loved one can get the support they need to stay comfortable during a heat wave.

How Do High Temperatures Affect Seniors?

Due to normal aging-related changes, seniors may not recognize when they are overheated or adapt well to changing temperatures. Certain health conditions like cardiovascular issues, certain medications and being overweight can make seniors more susceptible to heat. Additionally, seniors who are living with dementia or speech challenges may have difficulty communicating they feel overheated.

Watch for these common signs of excessive heat exposure:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Rapid pulse
• Muscle cramps
• Cold, clammy skin
• Coordination problems
• Swelling of ankles or feet

One major heat-related illness is heat stroke. If left untreated, heat stroke can damage the brain and internal organs because it interferes with the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. If your loved one has dry or flushed skin, rapid or weak pulse, a body temperature exceeding 104°F, mood swings or fainting spells, you should seek medical attention right away.

How At-Home Elder Care Experts from Visiting Angels McKinney Can Help

It’s important to make sure your loved one is OK when it’s hot out, but you may not always be around to check in on them. Fortunately, Visiting Angels McKinney can help. Our at-home elder care services can be personalized to meet your loved one’s needs and include services that can help them beat the summer heat.

Here are some strategies our caregivers use to keep seniors safe during a heat wave:

• Keeping them hydrated. We can make sure your loved one is drinking plenty of water and limiting how much caffeine and alcohol they consume. If your loved one has mobility issues, we can help them grab a refreshing drink from the kitchen as part of our meal planning and preparation services.
• Using sun protection. Seniors can be more sensitive to sun exposure. Our caregivers can help your loved one apply sunscreen to protect them from the sun. In addition, we can also help your loved one find a pair of sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun out of their eyes.
• Wearing appropriate clothing. Seniors sometimes wear sweaters and long pants during hot weather because of problems with body temperature regulation or out of habit. Our caregivers can help your loved one get dressed for the day and encourage them to wear more lightweight and comfortable clothing.
• Keeping the home cool. Our home care providers can ensure air conditioning and fans are working properly and help your loved one understand how to operate them. We can also keep shades and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day.
• Spending time in cool locations. Your older loved one may not have air conditioning or fans at home. Our caregivers will be more than happy to help your loved one get to a cool place, such as the mall, library, church, senior center or a family member’s house. Our transportation services will get your loved one where they need to go.
• Staying indoors. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to remain indoors during the hottest part of the day, usually between 12 noon and 4 pm. Staying inside doesn’t have to be boring, though. We also provide meaningful companionship so seniors don’t feel lonely.

To learn more about how our at-home elder care services can help your loved one, contact Visiting Angels McKinney at 214-491-1999.