Seven Tips to Enjoy a Summer Day Outside Safely

Summer is in full swing and the last thing you want is for your aging loved one to stay home all of the time, afraid to come out in the heat and sunshine. While it’s important to be cautious and understand the dangers of heat-related illnesses, your loved one should also be able to go out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Both are good for their mental health as well as their physical health.

These seven tips will keep your loved one safe while enjoying the fantastic summertime weather:

1. Dress appropriately. When planning for a long day outside, dressing appropriately is paramount. Let your loved one’s senior home care team know exactly what they will be doing on this fun summer outing. Does he need sturdy shoes for hiking through a park or does he need beach shoes that can handle the sand and water? Will heat be a factor or rain? Help your senior home care provider make the best choices for your loved one by providing all of the information you can about what you’ll be doing.
2. Protect that skin. In addition to wearing clothes for UV light protection, your loved one should have his senior home care provider help to cover exposed skin with sunscreen before he even heads out the door. A senior home care provider can help ensure he gets fully covered in areas he may not be able to reach, like the back of his neck, behind his knees, and even the tops of his feet.
3. When possible, plan your time out for the morning or evening. Mid-day heat and sun can be dangerous for your senior. If possible, plan your hike to a local waterfall in the early morning, or attend the local outdoor art fair in the early evening hours. Try to avoid being outside from about 10:00 am to 3:00 pm to avoid the strongest sun.
4. Plan for plenty of rest. If you’re doing some exertive, remember in the summer to plan even more rest time than usual. Heat and sun deplete energy and can cause falls. Let your senior loved one rest at each bench along a hike or sit at a table at the country fair while you gather up snacks. Prepare yourself to walk slowly and savor each area instead of rushing from one thing to the next.
5. Stay hydrated. It’s important to drink lots of water while you’re out. Even if your loved one is not feeling thirsty, taking regular drink breaks will help prevent him from getting dehydrated. Remember that caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate a person more quickly so with each drink containing one of those ingredients, make sure a glass of water is the chaser.
6. Watch the weather. Summer is known for its sudden storms so keep an eye on your weather app. You don’t want to be a mile from safety while out in the park and a storm breaks out overhead. Use your location on your phone to stay on top of any weather changes that may occur and check regularly in case something comes out of nowhere.
7. Be prepared to stop. If at any time your loved one looks or acts like he’s had too much sun and fun, be ready to call it quits for the day and bring him home where he can rest and cool off thoroughly.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care in Fair Oaks, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aging Assistant today at (916) 897-4752