May 22, 2015

With sunshine, barbecues and water sports, the elements of summer are a recipe for fun. As we welcome the warm weather months, seniors receiving elder care and their caregivers can enjoy the sun and fun of summer activities while being safe in and around the home.

These five tips help seniors and home health aides take precautions to avoid heat stroke, dehydration, sunburn and other health and wellness issues that arise during the summer:

Take heat exhaustion seriously. The Mayo Clinic defines heat exhaustion as a condition where your body overheats, with symptoms including heavy sweating, dizziness, headaches, and rapid pulse. Heat cramps are a mild heat-related syndrome, while heatstroke is the most severe. When exposed to high temperatures and humidity or strenuous activity, seniors – or people at any age — can be at risk for heat exhaustion that can ultimately lead to potentially fatal heatstroke. During the summer, the Mayo Clinic advises staying hydrated by drinking water or beverages with electrolytes and avoiding alcohol and caffeine. If possible, stay indoors during extreme heat and seek air conditioning to stay cool.

Try not to over-do it in the sun. Strenuous activity in the hot summer sun can cause heat exhaustion or worse, heatstroke, and sunburn. For those who will be working or exercising outdoors, avoid the sun during peak sun intensity hours, when UV light is strongest, typically 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. standard time or 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. daylight savings time. If you feel the effects of the heat, take breaks indoors and drink plenty of fluids.

Protect skin from the effects of the sun. We all know the rule of applying sunscreen before going out in the sun. Sometimes we might forget. Maybe it’s cloudy outside and the sun isn’t shining. No matter the conditions, remembering to wear sunscreen is an important step in avoiding painful sunburn from UV rays that can cause skin damage, wrinkles, skin spots, and skin cancer. The National Institutes of Health suggests using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and wearing protective clothing. Hats, especially for seniors with light-colored hair or balding, provide a shield of protection when enjoying outdoor summer activities such as gardening, swimming, going to the beach or lake, and riding bikes.

Don’t forget about your eyes. Exposure to the sun and harmful UV rays during the summer months not only affects sensitive senior skin, but also their vision. Sun can be irritating to the eyes, and since vision loss is a common characteristic of the elderly, exposure may cause further damage. Healthcare professionals suggest wearing hats and visors and wraparound sunglasses or eyewear that provide 100 percent UV ray protection to preserve vision.

Watch those bugs. Many seniors have compromised immune systems and can be particularly prone to insect bites in the summertime that cause West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease and encephalitis. For outdoors enthusiasts and those in areas where mosquitos and ticks are present, bug repellents with the active ingredient DEET help reduce risk. Every year, an estimated one-third of the U.S. population use DEET to protect them from mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus or malaria and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Also, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to avoid bug bites.

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.