The summer season is often one that is anticipated by many people. After a harshly cold winter, getting to experience the warmth and sunshine that summer offers is a nice and welcomed change of pace. But the warm temperatures that summer provides can also be uncomfortable and even dangerous. If people fail to take the necessary precautions, then summer’s heat can bring about more than just sunburns as people can experience serious health concerns such as dehydration and heat stroke.
Elderly individuals, in particular, can find themselves to be at an even greater risk of being negatively affected by the summer’s high temperatures. At their old age, their bodies have trouble adjusting to sudden temperature changes as well as they used to. Other conditions and medications can also make it more difficult to deal with excessive heat.
Knowing this, it is imperative that elderly individuals know how to stay cool in the summertime.
Continue reading for some tips on how you can help the seniors in your life combat the heat and stay cool in the summer.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key when protecting yourself from the high temperatures of the summer. The heat will make you lose liquids quicker, so you need to remain hydrated to stay cool and healthy. This means continually hydrating with cool water and fruit/vegetable juices and not waiting until thirst overcomes you. Additionally, you should avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can cause you to become dehydrated.
Maintain a Cool Environment
Obviously, going indoors or staying in a shaded area will help with staying cool during the summer. But there are actions you can take to ensure the environment remains cool.
At home, do not hesitate to run the air conditioning. Yes, it will cost you, but it will be worth using to ensure you are cool enough to combat the summer heat. If you do not have air conditioning, run electric fans to help keep the home cool.
Furthermore, keep blinds and shades closed during the day to prevent excess sunlight and heat from coming into your residence. This will also help fans and air conditioning be more effective and efficient.
Alternatively, you can go to a public establishment, like a shopping mall or a community center, if you want to be in an air-conditioned environment for free.
Wear Appropriate Attire
When it’s a hot summer day, people need to be mindful of their attire choices. Seniors, in particular, need to be wary of this, because they can have a more difficult time adjusting to heat.
When choosing clothing on a day with high temperatures, focus on lighter, breathable pieces of clothing that are light in color. Dark colors will attract heat and make it more difficult to cool off. Cotton is a great choice because it’s lightweight whereas a fabric like polyester is heavier and doesn’t encourage cooling in the same way.
Limit Your Time Outdoors
Everyone needs to get outside and spend some time in the sun, but on a hot summer day, your time outdoors needs to be limited to prevent yourself from suffering negative effects from the heat. So, if you want to spend time outside, try to either go out earlier in the day or later toward the evening. Both of these times of day are naturally cooler than the prime hours in the middle of the day.
Additionally, make sure you are protected when you go outside. Have cool water with you to drink to stay hydrated. Wear a hat that will keep the sun out of your face and take the time to put on sunscreen.
Cool Yourself Down
If you find yourself feeling overheated, taking a cool bath or shower can help and provide more immediate results. Otherwise, you can cool off by placing your feet in a tub of cool water or by placing a cool, damp washcloth on the back of your neck.
Senior Home Care from Assisting Hands Home Care
For some seniors, staying cool in the summer may not only be difficult because of their age and/or medical conditions but also because they have a tough time caring for themselves without assistance. Things that were once simple, such as getting dressed and taking a bath, can be difficult — and even unsafe — for elderly individuals to do without help.
In the summer, seniors may struggle to keep themselves cool if no one is there to help care for them. But Assisting Hands Home Care can help with this through the elderly care services that we offer to seniors in need in Palos Heights, IL, and the neighboring areas.
Within these services, we provide whatever kinds of home care assistance elderly individuals need. This can include helping out with bathing and showering, personal care and hygiene, and getting dressed. Our professional caregivers can also provide meal preparation and be a senior companion to ensure clients have someone to bond and spend time with.
Furthermore, in the summer, our caregivers will work to provide comfortable environments for your elderly loved ones. We will be around to make sure they can cool off properly and are not at risk of being harmed by the summer heat.
With home care assistance from Assisting Hands, seniors can feel cool and comfortable throughout the summer while getting the elderly care they need.
