Each season requires a unique approach to senior care, but summer can be especially challenging when making sure your loved one stays healthy and comfortable. Older people have a difficult time adapting to the higher temperatures and are more vulnerable to the effects of heat and UV exposure. As such, it’s important to make certain adjustments to your daily routine and take extra precautions against the weather. Here are some tips to remember for the warmer months.

How to Keep a Senior Loved One Safe and Well This Summer 

1. Regulate Indoor Temperatures 

The best way for seniors to avoid heat-related medical problems is to keep them in a temperature-regulated environment. This means you want to make sure their home is equipped with a properly working air conditioner that can effectively distribute cool air and reduce humidity levels. It also helps to use fans and cover the windows during the day to prevent sunlight from streaming inside. 

2. Encourage Plenty of Fluids

Seniors are more susceptible to becoming dehydrated since a person’s total volume of body water decreases with age. Also, elderly adults don’t always recognize when they’re thirsty. Encourage your loved one to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, particularly water. It’s best to steer clear of sugary beverages, coffee, and alcohol because they as diuretics and can cause them to lose fluid.

3. Monitor Medications

An important aspect of senior care is ensuring medications are taken correctly. In the summer, you should take some time to review your loved one’s prescriptions and talk to a health care professional if you have any questions about potential side effects. Some medicines can cause UV sensitivity and impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. This increases the risk of sunburn and heat stroke, so you may need to keep them out of the sun. 

4. Limit Outdoor Activities 

While your loved one may enjoy being outside in the garden or taking a walk, it’s essential to limit these activities during peak sunlight hours. If they’re going to venture outdoors, make sure it’s only for a short period of time and in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures aren’t at their highest point. They should also be dressed in cooler clothing to protect them from getting overheated. 

If you’re responsible for providing a loved one with senior care, turn to HDR Healthcare Network for support. Serving residents across the Bronx, NY, these trusted health care facilities are dedicated to ensuring every patient receives the highest standard of medical treatment available. They offer a wide variety of services that focus on promoting wellness through personalized attention and education. Call (929) 256-5005 or visit them online to learn more about what they do.