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Summer is in full swing – the sun is shining, the days are longer, and the temperature continues to rise. It’s the perfect time of the year for barbeques, day trips, and relaxing in the garden, but it isn’t free from risks, especially for senior citizens.
When it comes to keeping safe during the summer, elderly love ones should become a top priority, particularly when under home health care. In fact, even the healthiest elderly people are susceptible to the dangers of summer, so it’s important to take a pro-active approach to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy.
Check out these top summer safety tips for seniors!
Drink Lots of Water
Hydration is important for people of all ages during the summer, but it is especially important for the elderly, namely due to the fact the ability to conserve water reduces with age. So, any elderly loved ones should drink plenty of water throughout the day and be sure to stay on top of this for them as some older people don’t quite realize how thirsty they are.
Consider stocking up the refrigerator with bottled water or investing in a water filter pitcher so there is always access to fresh, cool water. Don’t forget to pack water whenever going out of the home, especially if the temperature is soaring into triple digits!
Talk to the Doctor About Medications
Not everyone is aware that high temperatures can affect medication, which could spell bad news for any elderly that leave their prescriptions lying around. This is even more prevalent when the temperatures rise and there is no air conditioning, so be mindful that there could be a risk.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to speak with the doctor so you know what medication could be affected by the weather. If not, medication could become less effective, which comes with obvious health risks that are well worth avoiding.
Always Keep Cool
Increasing indoor temperatures is an often-overlooked risk for elderly people during the summer. Even just a small increase in the temperature can cause all manner of problems, even more so when dealing with chronic pain or illness.
Air conditioning at home is highly recommended but not everyone has it, in which case you should consider investing in several fans to keep rooms cool. Another great idea is to visit local spots with air – think malls, the movie theater, libraries, museums or even a nice restaurant.
Heading outside to a local spot to keep cool isn’t just good for their physical health but also helps them get out of the house, which has a great affect on mental well-being too.
Why not arrange a weekly date where family members take turns to visit places during the summer? It’s a great way to keep them feeling fit and healthy, not to mention letting them make the most of the great weather!
Have Sunscreen Ready
Whenever heading outside be sure there is plenty of sunscreen applied to the. With much more sensitive skin, a senior citizen requires additional protection to ensure minimal discomfort in the sun, and to avoid painful burns.
Family members and carers can both contribute to this, whether helping to apply the sunscreen or simply providing a frequent reminder to wear it.
Dress Appropriately
Hats and sunglasses are always recommended for the everyone during the summer as they help protect the scalp and eyes from the searing heat of the sun. Sunglasses are very important for anyone with vision issues, as the bright sun could make the problem worse, so be sure to protect the eyes and to help keep vision safe.
Remain in Contact
One of the most important things to stay safe this summer is keep in contact! Whether you’re stopping in every day to see how they are, speaking with a home health care worker, or even just phoning to check up, make sure you are in frequent contact throughout the summer.
Communication is key for keeping the elderly safe during the summer! Carers should be checking at least twice daily during peak summer months, so make sure you keep on top of this. If possible, get help from family members, friends, and neighbors to provide a robust communication network during the summer.
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