Seniors and Summer Safety
Posted by Lauren Batalka on Mon, Jun 28, 2010
With temperatures soaring and Independence Day quickly approaching, it’s a good time to make sure you brush up on summer safety. The summer is a great time to spend outside enjoying friends and family, but it also has its dangers.
Excessive heat forces your body to work harder than normal to regulate its temperature, which often is the cause of heat-related illness. The heat forces your body to work beyond its limits. For seniors, this can be a dangerous – and even deadly – problem.
Typically, heat-related illnesses are a direct result of prolonged exposure to the sun. This includes sunburns, heat exhaustion and sometimes even heat stroke. There are many different ways to prevent these illnesses. Here are some of the easiest ways to stay safe from the heat this summer:
Drink plenty of water. Heat tends dehydrate your body so it is very important to keep up with fluid intake. During hot summer months, seniors should avoid drinking an excess of coffee and tea, since caffeine is a dehydrator. Make sure to have plenty of water on hand during the day, whether you’re outdoors or not.
Protect your skin. Use sunscreen when you know you’ll be outside for a prolonged period of time during the day. Remember to reapply sunscreen if you are exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time. Wear a hat or visor to lessen sun exposure to the face and neck. Find shady areas if you must be outside.
Wear loose fitting clothing. A lightweight dress or loose fitting shirt allows the skin to breathe and the body to maintain a normal temperature. Light-colored clothes reflect the light and heat better than dark colors.
Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses help protect your eyes from UV rays. UV rays can provoke cataracts, cornea damage, and many other harmful effects to the eye. Wearing sunglasses can also prevent headaches and migraines caused by intense sunlight. By blocking the sun’s light and heat, sunglasses can help keep the eyes moist by lessening the evaporation of tears. The eyes need moisture to focus and perform correctly, so proper sunglasses can actually improve vision under intense sunlight..
Take frequent breaks to cool down. When spending time out in the hot sun, it’s beneficial to take numerous breaks to allow your body to recover. Having a cool area in your home in which to recover can also be beneficial. Make sure your cooling device – whether you have an electric fan, a portable air conditioner or central AC – is working properly to ensure faster recovery.
Check on your friends and family. The heat can be especially difficult on seniors, so make sure to check regularly on your family, friends and neighbors during hot spells. Often heat-related issues arise before you have a chance to ask for help.
If you're planning a summer vacation and want assurance that your loved one will be safe at home while you're away, click HERE to learn more about our Flexi-Rest Program.