5 Summer Safety Tips for Seniors
As the warmer months are fast approaching, it’s important we all practice safe sun. Below are 5 safety tips for the seniors in your life.
1. Stay Hydrated
This is a simple tip that we’ve all heard countless times, but did you know, as you get older, certain sensations such as thirst can decrease, tricking you into thinking you’re not “thirsty” and therefore preventing you from drinking as much? Not only this, but seniors are also more likely to be on medications that can dry the body out. A good tip is, if you’re a senior, to drink a certain amount of water at regular intervals (we suggest asking your doctor what a good amount for you is, as it varies person to person). Remember, severe dehydration is life-threatening and should be taken extremely seriously.
2. Limit time in the direct sun
Most of us love the sun, particularly in Canada, where, in a lot of provinces, we suffer extremely harsh winters. Nevertheless, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of heat. Heatstroke is dangerous for anyone but can be particularly dangerous for seniors. It’s caused when your body temperature rises faster than it can lower itself. If you start feeling dizzy, dehydrated, confused, headachy, or nauseous (or just unwell in any way) after too long in the sun, make sure to rehydrate and get yourself or the senior in your life into a cool area. If symptoms persist, treat heatstroke as a medical emergency.
3. Protect your skin
A lot of people, particularly those already with a tan, do not take the necessary precautions in the sun. The majority of cases of skin cancer are found in adults over 65, and in many cases excessive exposure to sunlight and UV rays have a role to play in this. Even if you’ve spent your life with a tan, or you’re the palest person you know, you should always use sunscreen on any exposed skin in the sun, no matter what age you are. Also, keep covered where you can, and items such as hats can help protect your face. Your eyes are also particularly sensitive, and sunglasses are a must to keep your precious eyesight protected. Prescription sunglasses are a great option!
4. Check your medications
Before you head out to the beach, check your medications as some medications can actually make you more sensitive to the sun and heat. Certain antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines and cancer drugs can have this affect (This is not an extensive list, it’s important to check the side effects on your individual medications).
5. Make use of your air conditioning
In Canada, the extreme heat in certain areas during summer make air conditioning almost a necessity, like the heating during the winter. Don’t be afraid to use it when you need too, it’s important, at least during the hottest parts of the day, to have a cool space to live. If you’re concerned about cost, many provinces have heating & cooling rebate programs to help you or perhaps upgrade your system, it’s worth checking out if there is one where you live!
Continyou Care
At Continyou Care, we want all seniors to stay safe during the summer months. If you have any other great safety suggestions for seniors during the summer, let us know below or send us an email at info@continyoucare.com!