Nice weather can be a huge mood booster, both for us and our aging parents. There’s a lot of evidence out there showing just what kind of mental benefits more sunlight can do for us, but there are also some dangers to be aware of, particularly when it comes to the elderly. By being aware of these and taking the right steps to protect ourselves, we can take the nice weather for the blessing that it is, and avoid the hidden dangers that it might pose.
For one, make sure that your loved ones are not getting too warm this summer. Ensure that there are air conditioners and fans installed throughout their home so that the risk of heat exhaustion or stroke is minimized. When they are outdoors, make sure that they are in the shade whenever possible, stay well hydrated with plenty of water, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Although sitting out in the sun drinking a cold beer sounds very appealing, alcohol can speed up dehydration and increase the risk of sunstroke. When this happens to an older adult, the impact can be far more severe than if it were to happen to a younger adult. Because of a weaker immune system and slower recovery, the effect can sometimes be deadly. If you’re able to, bring cold packs or ice along with you so that body temperatures can be better regulated, just in case.
Keep in mind that some seniors–especially those suffering from dementia–will sometimes forget to pay their utility bills. Help remind your mom or dad of this if you can, being sure to be polite and gracious. If they have an in-home care service helping them, the caregiver may be able to help with paying bills and other tasks, so this could be worth looking into if you need to. If you’re looking for a caregiver, be sure that this is one of the questions that you ask in the interview process.
The sun brings along a few other problems, too. For one, UV rays can cause skin cancer, and many elderly folks find themselves already at high risk of this. It’s really easy to want to sit out in the sun and soak up the rays, but some people find this to be more problematic than anything else. Sunburns are another major concern. Severe sunburn can also land someone in the hospital, so be sure that even if you aren’t concerned about skin cancer that you are helping your loved one to apply sunscreen and stay in the shade, just to play it as safe as possible. If they will be spending time outside with their in-home caregiver, ensure that the sunscreen and a hat are readily available and that they know that they are expected to help with this.
Prevention during the summer months doesn’t need to be a drag, so don’t make it one. There’s plenty of ways to stay safe and have fun with your entire family. Just be attuned to the heightened needs that your elderly parent has and account for them this summer, both indoors and out.
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