Home Instead Senior Care Offers Tips For Keeping Older Adults Safe in the Summer Heat

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Home Instead Senior Care

Jul 20, 2018, 10:00 ET

OMAHA, Neb. (PRWEB) July 20, 2018 -- Summer is in full swing and families are ready to take on summer fun with their older loved ones. It’s the perfect time of year for families to get out of the house and bond over outdoor activities like picnics, gardening or attending sporting events.

“It’s important to include older adults in family bonding time,” said Lakelyn Hogan, gerontologist at Home Instead Senior Care. “Summer is when most families plan trips and activities, but prolonged heat exposure and strenuous activities can put older adults at risk, so taking a few extra precautions is important.”

Older adults don’t adjust to sudden changes in temperature as well as others. According to the CDC, people over the age of 65 are more prone to heat-related health problems. Prolonged heat exposure can be dangerous, so Home Instead recommends the following summer safety tips:

  • Stay Cool. When it comes to the summer sun, encouraging your older loved ones to drink plenty of water and regularly apply sunscreen are important to staying cool. Using sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays offers optimal protection, and taking AC breaks can also prevent older adults from overheating.
  • Be aware of accessibility. Always consider the location you’re going to and the needs of your loved one. If they have difficulty walking, a flat walking terrain will be easier to navigate. Adjust your plans accordingly so everyone can be included in the family fun.
  • Carry necessary medications. It’s easy to forget medications before leaving for a fun, summer day with family. Ensure your loved one has all necessary medications on hand. Be aware that some medications don’t mix well with sun exposure, so you may need to check with a physician to see if prolonged outdoor activities are safe.
  • Limit strenuous activity. Adding heat to an exercise routine can quickly result in dehydration. Be an early bird or a night owl to avoid the hottest times of the day. If you exercise, try to do so indoors or take breaks as needed.
  • Know heat stroke symptoms. People over the age of 50 are the most susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include confusion, disorientation, headache, extreme tiredness, nausea, dry/hot skin and rapid heartbeat. If you or your older family member exhibits these symptoms, call 911 immediately, as this is a serious medical emergency.

For more information on summer safety tips for seniors, visit https://www.caregiverstress.com/.

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ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Lori and Paul Hogan, the Home Instead Senior Care® network provides personalized care, support and education to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today, this network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,100 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 60 million hours of care throughout the United States and 11 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 70,000 CAREGiversSM worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Instead Senior Care network partners with clients and their family members to help meet varied individual needs. Services span the care continuum – from providing personal care to specialized Alzheimer’s care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources.

Dan Wieberg, Home Instead Senior Care, +1 (402) 575-5970, [email protected]