In-home caregivers come to the home to help seniors with chores like cooking or yard work which can be strenuous in the heat. They also make sure seniors take proper precautions to beat the heat. These guidelines are important for all caregivers to know:
• Wear lightweight, loose fitting clothes – Caregivers help with laundry and can make sure seniors have enough clean, lightweight clothes to stay cool.
• Drink up! – Caregivers 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. Caregivers fill water bottles and keep coolers well stocked. They can even make “mock tails” – drinks the senior enjoys, like lemonade or fruit juice mixtures.
• Stay cool – Caregivers take steps such as closing blinds, keeping the house cool. Caregivers should also have fans readily available to keep their seniors comfortable. Most seniors are budget-conscious, so it’s important for caregivers 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 p.m. to 5 p.m. Caregivers 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 – Caregivers prepare light food 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) – Caregivers help by keeping seniors active in the day so they’re fatigued at night and go to sleep with no problem. Caregivers also keep seniors on steady sleep schedules so their bodies get used to the routine.
• Follow sunscreen guidelines –Seniors are more prone to sunburn because their bodies have less water, so sun protection is extra important. Caregivers help seniors follow proper sun care, such as re-apply sunscreen every two hours for it to work effectively.
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.