Summer officially starts on June 20th! How can the seniors in your life enjoy this summer? Needless to say, keeping them protected from the spread of COVID-19 remains a top priority. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the warmth and sunshine that summer brings. They just have to take extra precautions to do so safely.
Don’t stay out in the sun for too long.
Too often, when we’re talking about our guilty pleasures (enjoying slices of chocolate cake, for example), we justify them by saying we enjoy them “in moderation”. When it comes to seniors going outside during the summertime, the same train of thought must apply. Especially on particularly hot days, you want to ensure that your elderly loved one can easily find some shade. As well, don’t venture too far from home. Short outdoor experiences during the summer are best.
“If you live somewhere where it gets really hot, you should keep your plans for outdoor activities reasonably short,” advises Kristen Hicks on SeniorAdvisor.com, “Don’t plan to spend the whole day out in the sun – stick to a couple of hours and then head inside for a break. You don’t always feel the effect the sun is having on you in the moment, but it can build to something dangerous if you’re not careful to temper the time you spend outside on hot days.”
Limit your exercise.
All seniors can help themselves to live healthy and active lifestyles if they get in a little exercise every day. Of course, strenuous activity is never recommended. But it’s even more important to take it light on especially hot days. We all love getting out in the sun. And, for many fitness addicts, outdoor jogs on sunny days are a treat. Seniors, however, need to limit their exercise during the summer to avoid the exacerbation of any health issues.
“Our body works hard enough during the hot days that adding strenuous physical activity can be detrimental,” says Comfort Keepers, “If your senior exercises regularly, try it during the early morning or late evenings. Planning around the hottest time of the day can help to limit exposure to the heat.”
Be an avid sunscreen user.
Sunscreen wasn’t just made for young folks. We all need it. No matter where in the world you reside, the sun’s harmful UV rays can find you. Believe it or not, you even need to wear sunscreen in the winter. Just because it’s cold, it doesn’t mean you can’t endure sun damage.
During the summer, of course, we expose more of our skin. And the skin of older adults is much more susceptible to sun damage than that of their younger counterparts. Use a sunscreen that has an SPF of, at least, 15.
“If you carry a purse, keep your sunscreen in it at all times,” suggests Hicks, “If you don’t, stick some in your car or anywhere else you can think of where you’re likely to have it when you need it. If you think you might forget to re-apply when needed, set yourself an alarm, pretty much all phones have that option these days.”
Make it easy to get back inside.
Does your elderly loved one use a wheelchair, a scooter or any other mobility solution? If so, getting back into your house can be made much easier by installing a porch lift in front of it. Call LifeCare Mobility Solutions at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca to learn more about how a porch lifts can help the senior in your life to have a safer summer. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
