Your elderly family member can absolutely enjoy every moment of the summer, but she does still need to pay attention to safety. As her caregiver, you may need to be aware of some possible concerns so you can act quickly if necessary.
Too Much Sun Can Be Damaging
Sun can do a lot of good. It’s warming and it feels good on the skin, in moderation. It can also be the catalyst that helps your senior’s body to make its own vitamin D. But too much sun can be a problem. If your elderly family member is outside, that could mean that she needs to wear clothing that protects her skin and that she uses an umbrella or a hat to shield her face.
Hydration Is Super Important
Proper hydration is always a big deal, but it’s more important than ever when the temperatures rise. And if your senior is spending a lot of time outside, she definitely needs to be sipping water regularly. Get an idea from your senior’s doctor how much water is right for her. It’s different for every individual and you and your senior can craft a plan that helps her to get the right amount of water on a regular basis.
Cooling the Air Is Also Important
When the air is already heavy and thick, the last thing you want is for it to just sit there and be warm, too. Fans, both ceiling fans and oscillating versions, are great to have indoors. For starters, they can be cooling in their own right. But they also help to keep the air conditioner from working too hard on its own. Outside your elderly family member might benefit from a battery-operated fan and mister combo.
Medication Side Effects Can Be Worse in Heat
Depending on your elderly family member’s health, she may be taking medications. Side effects can be different in the heat than they might be during cooler weather. Talk to your senior’s doctor, especially if the medications she’s taking are new for your senior. Find out how they might affect her when she’s in the sun and when it’s warmer out.
Look for Other Signs of Issues
Heat-related illnesses are a huge concern, but especially for older adults. Be alert for any signs of unusual behavior or anything that doesn’t seem to be normal for your senior. You could be witnessing the very earliest stages of some of these illnesses.
Summer is the perfect time for your elderly family member to be outside more often and to enjoy nature. It’s just really important to help her to do so as safely as possible.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Caregivers in St. Pete Beach, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
