Summer Safety Tips for Seniors

Summer time is finally upon us, which means you can start making family plans like going to the beach or scheduling an afternoon barbeque! While this is a fun time of year, unfortunately your older loved ones may not do so well in the summer heat. Here are some tips to keep in mind so your summer spent with family is both fun and safe.

Stay Hydrated – Seniors tend to lose the desire of thirst as they get older. Make sure that you are encouraging your loved one to stay extra hydrated — especially during prolonged physical activity. Aim for them to drink a minimum of 6–8 glasses per day.

Dress Comfortably – Dark-colored clothes absorb heat, which means wearing them in the summer will actually make you hotter. Loose and light-colored clothing is best. It’s also safer for seniors to wear shoes and sneakers rather than sandals to better support their arches and ankles. To add a taste of style, you can even pull out that straw brim sun-hat they’ve been waiting all year to wear!

Watch for Symptoms of Heatstroke – It’s harder for seniors to regulate body temperature and therefore makes them more susceptible to heat exhaustion, heat sickness, and heatstroke. Make sure to watch for symptoms such as:

• • Rapid heart rate
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Paleness of skin
  • Lack of sweat even if it’s hot outside
  • A body temperature over 104°

If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately, get your loved one into a cool area, and place ice packs or any cold object on their body to lower their temperature.

Stay Out of Direct Sunlight – 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. is when sun rays are the most harmful. When including your loved one in family activities, try to schedule your plans before or after these times. If an activity happens to fall during this window, try to keep them out of the sun as much as possible. 

Review Medications – Seniors are likely to be on some form of medication. During the summer, it’s important to double check the side effects of medications such as increased sensitivity to ultraviolet rays or heat.

Keeping Summer Fun and Safe

Encore at Avalon Park takes pride in ensuring the safety of our elders while helping them create special memories. If you have any specific questions about protecting your loved one during the summer, or any questions about our community, feel free to contact us today at 407-270-7500.