Every July, Americans celebrate National Picnic Month. It’s a time to head outside with family and enjoy a day together. Play games, eat picnic foods, and enjoy being out in nature. You’re including your dad in this year’s family picnic. Make sure he’s staying safe by following these tips. To ensure that you and your senior get the most out of your family gatherings, bring in home care assistance to help them prepare for the event and ensure their safety.
Keep Cold Foods Cold
Food poisoning is one of the biggest risks of a picnic. If perishable foods are too warm for too long a period, bacteria thrive. Make sure that cold foods stay cold by bringing a cooler filled with ice or ice packs.
Cold foods include pasta and potato salads, meats, cheeses, and many desserts. When it’s time to serve them, take them out only long enough to serve and then move them back to the cooler.
Cook Meats to the Recommended Temperatures
If you’re cooking meats at the picnic area, bring a digital thermometer. Check that the internal temperature of the item is warm enough to kill bacteria. As a general rule, this means poultry is cooked to 165 F, beef and pork are at least 145 F, burgers and hot dogs are 155 F or higher, and seafood is at least 145 F.
Once the items are cooked, serve them immediately. Put leftovers in a cold cooler. Even better, cook only as much as is needed. If people want to go back for seconds, make a new batch at that point.
Bring Lots of Water
Home Care Assistance in Thornton CO
Your dad needs to stay hydrated. Pack a cooler with water bottles, seltzer, and juices with no added sugar. Iced tea, lemonade, and iced coffee are other options. Keep those beverages cool and bring reusable aluminum or plastic cups if you know he won’t drink from a can or bottle.
Pack Sunscreen
No one wants to get a sunburn, so bring sunscreen. Spray-on sunscreens are easily applied, but make sure people put on enough. Aim for an SPF of 35 or higher and look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent damage from both UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before heading into the sun. It also needs to be reapplied every two hours or after getting out of the water.
Bring Activities and Games Your Dad Can Manage
If your dad wants to join his family for games, bring games you know he can handle. If he’s not able to run around, games like croquet are a good option. You could create a scavenger hunt in nature and have people team up to find the items on the list.
What Happens the Rest of the Time?
Do people check in on your dad regularly when it’s not the weekend or a holiday? If he’s often alone, it’s time to consider arranging home care assistance to help him out. Caregivers can help him with light housework, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation to doctor appointments and more.
With home care assistance, your dad is supported and able to maintain his independence as he ages at home. Call a home care agency to learn more.
Source
If You Or An Aging Loved One is Considering Home Care Assistance in Thornton, CO, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 720-780-7755.
