6 Ways To Keep Seniors Safe During The Summer

The summer months are a dangerous time of the year, especially for seniors. In fact, over a 10-year span, 40 percent of all heat-related deaths occurred in people over the age of 65. If you have an elderly loved one that lives alone, take extra steps to keep him or her safe during summer. Learn how you can help now.

1. Know the Signs

Heat-related illnesses take form in a variety of different ways. In the immediate onset, some people feel tired or weak, and others experience muscle cramps or headaches. Without attention, a persons' symptoms can progress to nausea and fainting. Heat stroke, marked by periods of confusion or seizures, is more severe and requires immediate medical attention.

No matter the specifics, be able to recognize the signs that indicate something is wrong. Whenever you are unsure, play it safe and seek medical care.

2. Research Their Medications

Your loved one may be at an increased risk for dehydration depending on their daily medications, especially if they take a high blood pressure diuretic. Diuretics rid the body of extra sodium and water to help lower blood pressure levels. But when a person gets hot, they lose even more fluid through sweat.

The combination of the diuretic and excess sweating depletes the body of too much fluid and can lead to dehydration.  

3. Be a Helping Hand

Strenuous activity is a common cause of heat stroke. While you might look at running or intense manual labor as exhausting, the threshold might not be as high as you imagine when it comes to seniors. For example, for an older adult, mowing even a small lawn on a hot day could qualify as an intense activity.

Commit to helping your loved one with both outside and inside activities to prevent overexertion.

4. Offer Financial Help

Air conditioning systems use a considerable amount of energy. Naturally, for someone on a fixed income, the thought of turning the air conditioning on may simply sound too expensive. If your loved one has a cooling unit they don't turn on, find out if a cost concern is to blame.

Encourage your loved one to turn on their cooling unit and offer to help pay any extra fees they incur. A temperature setting around 78 degrees should keep your loved one cool enough and keep their energy cost manageable.  

5. Stock Up on Healthy Fluids

Coffee, soda, and lemonade are hydration-busting drinks. If any of these drink selections happen to be among their favorites, restock the refrigerator with healthier alternatives. Electrolyte-containing sports drinks (not sugary energy drinks), 100 percent fruit juices and milk are all fluids that promote hydration.

However, water is the best. But, if your loved one isn't much of a water drinker, buy a fruit infuser pitcher to add flavor to their water.

6. Promote Exercise

Encourage your loved one to stay healthy through exercise and activity. A sedentary lifestyle and obesity actually increase the risk of heatstroke. Before the program begins, you want to get clearance from their medical provider to ensure the exercise program is okay.

However, water aerobics is a great starting point for seniors. Water aerobics can be performed in an indoor pool, in a climate-controlled environment. Additionally, the buoyancy of the water minimizes any impact on the joints.

Keeping your senior loved one safe during the summer begins with a plan. At Alliance Home Care VNA, our companion care services team is happy to help you put a plan in place for your loved one. Whether it's performing light housework or ensuring they don't forget to turn the air conditioning on, give us a call so that we can help.