It’s summertime here in Roseland, which means plenty of sunshine and warmer temperatures to enjoy. However, the rising mercury in the thermometer can increase the risk of health complications for some older adults. Brush up on your summer safety tips for seniors to ensure that your season is full of fun, and not extra visits to your physician.
Drink Up!
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of health complications in older adults, especially during the summer months. Though dehydration is detrimental at any age, seniors can experience acute confusion, infections, and even irregular heartbeats without proper water intake. To make matters even more serious, seniors who take diuretic medications are at an even higher risk of dehydration complications.
To stay hydrated this summer, ensure that you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Though you don’t have to give up your morning cup of coffee, try to decrease the amount of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages you consume throughout the day by choosing to drink water instead.
If you struggle to drink water, try to make it more interesting by adding chunks of fruit, such as orange wedges or berries, to your water. Resist the urge to add a sugary drink mix to your water and choose fruits or veggies (like cucumbers) instead. Finally, you can increase your water intake by enjoying foods that have high water content. Hit your local farmers market and pick up items like watermelon, grapes, or cucumbers to add to your weekly snack rotation.
Limit Sun Exposure
You can enjoy the sunshine without overexposing your skin by limiting your time in the sun, using sunscreen, and wearing appropriate clothing. Though getting out in the sun is excellent for natural vitamin D production, too much time in direct sunlight can cause sunburn, skin irritation, or overheating. Keep sunscreen readily available in your home, car, and purse so that you always have your next application nearby. Choose a sunscreen with an sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and don’t forget to reapply as needed.
Finally, try wearing clothing and accessories that can keep the sun’s rays at bay. Invest in a wide-brimmed hat as well as clothing that is SPF rated and sunglasses, all of which are helpful if you like to spend time outside gardening, hiking, or reading.
Know Your Medications
If you haven’t had the chance to review your current medication list with your pharmacist or physician since last summer, make it a priority to do so sooner than later. Your medications can have side effects that directly affect how your body tolerates the heat and sunshine of summer. Talk candidly with a professional about what to expect in the summer from your medications, as well as any lifestyle changes you will need to make in order to stay healthy.
Update Your Emergency Info
It’s good practice to update your emergency contact information at least once a year, and summertime is the perfect time to do it. Update your contacts on your phone as well as with your doctor’s office. Finally, update your information in any emergency paperwork you have at home.
Now is also a good time to review your emergency plan with your family members or neighbors. Make sure you have someone designated to check in on you via phone call or visit at least once per week during the summer season.
Check Your Air Conditioning
Finally, make sure your air conditioning is ready to go for a new season. It’s the ideal time to have annual maintenance done to ensure that you won’t have a broken air conditioning system during the hottest days of the year.
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Have a safe and healthy summer!
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