For most people across Canada, summer is the most enjoyable time of the year. Many Canadians long for the months when it is warm and sunny, knowing that they have far too many cold ones to endure throughout the year. Seniors, however, aren’t always as fond of hot weather as the rest of us. It is particularly important for older adults to be proactive and take precautions in order to avoid ailments due to excessive heat.
What steps should be taken to help seniors to beat the summer heat? Let’s take a look at a few important ones.
Avoid heating-inducing household chores.
For older adults, even the slightest bit of added exertion on a hot day can be dangerous. Some activities, however, can appear a lot less alarming than others. Doing the laundry, for example, seems like an innocent enough chore, right? However, the heat that is emitted from the clothes dryer can contribute to increasing a senior’s body temperature.
“On particularly warm days, encourage your senior loved one to avoid using the oven or stove, running laundry, or relying too much on other heat-generating appliances,” encourages Chicago’s Companions For Seniors, “Use blinds to help keep out hot sun on particularly scorching days, and be strategic about opening the windows to create airflow.”
Seek the shade and other cool locations when in public.
The summertime is no time to be cooped up at home. But when venturing outdoors, enduring excessive heat can be an issue. Before exploring your city with your elderly loved one, map out locations where some shade and relaxation can be enjoyed. Make note of public places where air conditioning is available. Be sure to visit them over locations where no protection from the sun can be found.
“Not every senior has air conditioning in their home and there is a point at which fans can’t combat the summer heat,” says Allen Riggs on Caregiver.com, “When this occurs, visit public places such as local shopping malls, libraries, restaurants, or visit with friends or family for a welcome break from the heat.”
Minimize exposure to the sun.
When going outside, encourage your elderly loved one to wear wide-brimmed hats, light long-sleeved clothing and sunscreen. The less you allow the sun’s harmful UV rays to attack the sensitive skin of your aging parent, the better. As VisitingAngels.com points out, whether it is around the house, in the park or at the beach, seniors need to limit direct exposure to the sun.
“Not only do they run a higher risk of skin disease, sunburn, or overheating, but also exhaustion, an often dangerous—and overlooked—hazard during the summer,” the website warns, “Being overactive or simply sitting outside for too long puts the elderly at risk to serious conditions that may threaten their health. To minimize risks wear light coloured clothing and plan outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day.”
At LifeCare Mobility Solutions, we would love to help make your elderly loved one safe and comfortable all summer long. If you have any questions about our mobility solutions and home healthcare products, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
