The spring and summer seasons are the most common times of the year for people to enjoy the outdoors, take vacations, sit by the pool and other similar activities. As you get older, you have to monitor your health a little more closely and take preventative measures to ensure your body doesn’t get overheated. The National Institute on Aging suggests that too much heat can be risky for anyone, but especially for older adults or for people with health problems. Practicing great senior care is essential during the warm weather and these tips can help you stay on track.
Wear Cool Clothing
Wearing lightweight clothing as much as possible is ideal when going outside during the spring and summer. If you typically spend your senior living hours indoors in a controlled environment, consider bringing along a few lightweight layers of clothing so you can add or remove them to make you more comfortable. It can take several minutes for the body to adjust to the differing temperatures, but the main thing is to stay cool and keep your body temperature regulated.
Keep Your Body Hydrated
Hydration is critical for people of all ages, but especially when it comes to senior care. The older you get, the less water gets conserved into the body, which can lead to accidental dehydration. And when you’re spending more time outdoors in the warm weather, dehydration can happen quickly. Drink plenty of water and reduce caffeine intake as much as possible since those products act as a diuretic and can naturally dehydrate you even more.
Exercise Strategically
Exercising outdoors may not be the ideal option for senior living during the late spring and summer months. If you have a treadmill or other indoor exercise station, consider using it more during these months so you can reduce the risk of getting overheated. Sometimes exercising indoors isn’t motivating, though. If your preference is to exercise outdoors, then be sure to do it early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperatures are at their coolest.
Ask For Help When You Need It
Above all else, ask for help when you need anything done outdoors that could be strenuous on the body. Just because you have a mobility ramp providing access to different areas of your outdoor living space doesn’t mean you should do everything on your own. Heat exhaustion can happen quickly, so call a neighbor, friend or family member if you need help tending to your garden or anything else you need to accomplish.
Next Day Access makes senior living easier by offering the highest-quality accessibility products on the market. Struggling to go up and down your stairs can be even more difficult during the warm spring and summer months. A mobility ramp can make your life much easier, as can a stair lift, vertical platform lift and other products. When you contact us, we will provide you with a free home assessment and let you see how easy senior living can be.