A senior’s body naturally changes as they age, and one thing they may struggle with is how to control their body temperature. Most seniors know they should drink water and find ways to stay cool, but that does not always mean they remember how to do so. If your loved one is aging in place with in-home care services, they are about to come up on some of the hottest days of the year. July and August are fast approaching and with it comes extremely hot days where the UV index is the highest and temperatures can be unsafe for seniors to go out in.
Here are some tips for in-home care providers and loved ones to help keep seniors safe during extremely hazardous and hot weather.
Manage Medications
Chances are a senior is on multiple medications, and some of them actually keep a senior cooler or they actually induce heat stroke. In-home care professionals can help read labels and remind a senior when the best time to take a medication or ensure a senior stays cool after a medication kicks in.
In-home care providers will also know which medications make a senior more dehydrated and help combat that dehydration in sneaky ways, like giving a senior some snacks filled with hydration. It is so important to watch which medications a senior is taking daily and help guide them when it comes to the time to take them and what to do after a medicine is taken.
Keep Hydrated
This is always one of the first tips you’ll see, and for a good reason: your loved one needs to stay hydrated even if they are staying inside. As they get older, their bodies may not naturally regulate their temperature as well as they used to, but water and cold fluids can help them do a better job.
If a senior is planning to leave the house, in-home care providers can help them pack for the activity and even carry a backpack filled with multiple water bottles and tons of refreshing snacks. Sometimes a cooler will also be necessary to help keep a senior hydrated and battle dehydration.
A senior does not need to remain inside all summer and it does not need to limit the fun they have, they just need to be prepared to battle the heat.
Dress For the Weather
If a senior is not wearing the right clothes, they are at risk of getting sunburned or overheating, which can be exceptionally dangerous and painful for a senior. If a senior is showing any skin, they need to wear SPF for safety, but they should also be as covered in light clothing as possible.
In-home care services can help look up the weather for their area and help a senior get dressed for the day. This will ensure they are wearing the right clothes and can be comfortable during the day.
Keep in mind that seniors can always change midday if they become sweaty or uncomfortable, and in-home care can help them.
Avoid Direct Sun
Sunny, hot days don’t mean seniors have to hide away in their homes, but they should avoid the sun when it is at its highest and find shady areas when outside. Avoiding direct sunlight will help seniors stay safe and manage their internal temperature.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care in Erie, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (720) 789-8529
At Talem Home Care of Broomfield, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Broomfield, Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Commerce City, Denver, Erie, Firestone, Lafayette, Lakewood, Longmont, Louisville, Northglenn, Sherrelwood, Thornton, Welby, Westminster, Wheat Ridge and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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