Summer Safety for Seniors
Summer months, along with warmer weather, are just around the corner. It’s a time to get outside and have fun, adventure, and get some much-needed relaxation. Unfortunately for senior adults and their caregivers, this can also be a stressful time because of the dangers of heat, humidity, and sun exposure. As we continue to age, we become more susceptible to these conditions, making it harder to enjoy the relaxing summer months. However, there are ways to allow seniors to enjoy the season while remaining safe, healthy, and cool at the same time.
Dehydration
Many seniors struggle to identify when they are thirsty, which leads to dehydration rather quickly. Either they cannot detect when they are thirsty as well as they used to, or they just don’t sweat as much, causing their body temperatures to not regulate correctly. It is important to remember that numerous elders take diuretics as well, causing fluids to leave the body. It has been reported that one in five seniors in special care do not hydrate adequately, with that stat being blown up even more when considering patients affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Make sure your elderly loved one is getting the proper hydration before and during your time in the sun.
Sunblock
Seniors looking to enjoy the hot, summer sun must be prepared with sunblock. Our skin has a fatty layer below it that gets thinner with age, allowing for sun exposure to cause dehydration and more damage to the skin. To ensure your and your loved one’s safety in the sun, make sure everyone exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays is lathered in sunblock with the adequate SPF (at least 30). Wearing the correct apparel, such as light-colored, loose clothes with a hat and glasses can also help protect from sun damage.
Tripping Hazards
Being outdoors more often presents a tripping hazard for elderly people because they are on unfamiliar grounds – different from the comfort of their homes. Outdoor rugs and furniture, uneven patio tiles, slippery pool decks, misplaced garden hoses, sandy beaches, and many more can cause seniors to trip and fall, which puts their health and safety at risk. To combat this risk, make sure yard and patio areas are well-lit and that your senior loved one has comfortable shoes. Take it a step further by keeping up with medical equipment (hearing aids, walkers, glasses, etc.) to ensure their senses are as sharp as possible.
Summer is a time to travel, see loved ones and friends, and relax in the warm weather. Even though seniors may have a difficult time doing so with safety concerns, there are various ways to get them outdoors while remaining safe and healthy. With a little extra care and precaution, seniors and their caregivers can enjoy all benefits from the summer months.
