Hot summer days can be dangerous to older people. Normal age-related changes in addition to medications, illnesses, low fluid intake, and limited income may limit an older person’s ability to cope with heat. Make sure the seniors in your life take proper precautions to beat the heat during our scorching summer temperatures. Here are some suggestions.
Wear lightweight, loose fitting clothes – you can help with laundry and can make sure seniors have enough clean, lightweight clothes to stay cool.
Drink up! – remind seniors to drink water throughout the course of the day, even if they’re not particularly thirsty. (Eight 8-ounce glasses at least). As adults continue to age, the amount of water retained by the body decreases substantially. Fill water bottles and keep coolers well stocked. You can even make “mocktails” – drinks the senior enjoys, like lemonade or fruit juice mixtures.
Stay cool – take steps such as closing blinds, use fans and air conditioning to keep the house cool. Many seniors are budget-conscious, so it’s important to be sure the AC is set to a proper level and it’s working.
Stay in air conditioning in the afternoon – The hottest part of the day is from 3-5 p.m. Provide inside activities to keep seniors active inside to avoid spending time outside during the hottest hours of the day.
Eat plenty, but eat light – Make sure the senior has light food available because heavy foods, like meat and cheese, tend to make the body work harder to digest, using more water and generating more body heat.
Help with late sundown syndrome (periods of agitation in the evening for seniors with dementia) – Help dementia patients remain active in the day so they’re fatigued at night and go to sleep with no problem.
Follow sunscreen guidelines –Seniors are more prone to sunburn because their bodies have less water, so sun protection is extra important.
For more information about how an in-home caregiver can help keep your older loved ones safe, comfortable and cared for at home this summer, give Visiting Angels a call at 661-263-2273.