On the Advantage Home Health Solutions Blog, we often talk about the various ways that we can all make our homes safer for seniors. And while this will always be an important subject, considering that we spend the majority of our time inside our homes, it’s vital that we also address the fact that when we venture outdoors, the safety of our elderly loved ones need twice as much the attention.
This is especially true now that we are about to embark on warmer temperatures. Canadians from east to west have been patiently waiting for spring to arrive. And now that it’s here, it’s important that we consider some outdoor safety measures for the elderly loved ones in our lives. And that’s because warmer weather means more time spent outdoors – in the heat!
Is the heat really that dangerous?
We all take to the heat differently. Some absolutely love it while some others find it suffocating. For many seniors, the spring and summer seasons can make for trying times. Certainly, this is the case for the many Canadian seniors who have medical conditions that the heat may worsen. Before the temperatures heat up, it’s best to check in with the physicians of your elderly loved ones to make sure that the impending heat won’t exacerbate their conditions.
“Check with your medical team to make sure any medications you are on won’t be affected by higher temperatures — especially if you don’t have air conditioning in your home,” advises Care.com, “Some medications are less effective if stored at temperatures higher than room temperature (approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit), and the last thing anyone wants is for a preventable medical condition to become aggravated due to high temperatures.”
It’s important to keep things light.
When the temperatures rise, keeping things “light” is the right way to go. As pointed out by RetireAtHome.com, that would include the diets of the seniors in your life. “Eat light foods, like yogurt, fruits, and vegetables in smaller portions to avoid the body from overworking and overheating,” the site recommends. It goes on to suggest that only light exercises are performed by your elderly loved ones.
“Avoid strenuous activities, especially during peak heat,” the website notes, “If necessary, tend to such tasks in the early morning.” The main reason for eating and exercising light is to avoid heat exhaustion – something that seniors are more susceptible to. “Heat exhaustion is a result of heavy work or exercise in a warm place, which causes loss of body fluid,” informs RetireAtHome.com, “This can lead to a decrease in blood flow to the vital organs, possibly followed by shock.”
Keep your eyes on the road.
Yes, this is always good advice for drivers. But even when you’re taking a light stroll with your elderly loved one, be on the constant lookout for tripping hazards as there are bound to be plenty of them. It’s especially important to be careful if your elderly loved one has a mobility issue that may require the use of a walking aid.
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we pride ourselves on the many mobility solutions we have available to make seniors safer. For more information about the mobility solutions offered by Advantage Home Health Solutions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
