Summer can be an enticing time to spend too much time outside under a broiling sun for seniors and the elderly.
It’s the time for get togethers, family picnics, grilling, exercising, the beach, golfing, and many other pursuits and activities. Dangers include sunburn, heat stress and exhaustion, dehydration, and other effects that can lead to long-term problems.
To prevent seniors and the elderly from endangering their health, follow these seven safe, effective tips to enjoying the summer.
1) Use sunscreen early and often — Plan ahead for being outside. An hour before heading out into the sunshine, apply sunscreen. Use a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Also, it’s a good practice to reapply sunscreen about two hours later. Keep reapplying sunscreen on that timeline if you stay outside.
2) Know if your prescriptions and medications are safe — Take some time to learn about the prescriptions and medication you take. Read the labels and warnings. If you have questions, feel free to ask your doctor about your concerns. In some cases, prescriptions and medications can cause you to have sun sensitivity and be susceptible to its harmful effects.
3) Wear sunglasses — Your eyes may be more sensitive to light and the sun’s harmful rays as you age. Wear sunglasses that reduce the glare of the sun. This will lower your risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration that can be common in seniors and the elderly. To protect against UVA and UVB radiation, wear sunglasses that wrap around your eyes.
4) Wear breezy, lightweight clothing — For summer, light-colored and breathable fabrics made from cotton fabrics are your best clothing options. Wear layers that you can take off during the day as it heats up. Also, it’s good to wear long-sleeve shirts and be sure to wear hats with wide brims.
5) Water is your friend — Drink water early, drink it often, and drink it all day. Keep drinking cold water during the day and make it a habit. Also, avoiding alcohol and caffeine is a good practice because they are diuretics and drain your body of liquids.
6) It’s cool to stay inside — It’s fine to be outside in the mornings or evenings if you want to exercise or do other things like garden or take part in outdoor activities. But when it’s the hottest part of the day in the middle of the afternoon, avoid being outside. The cool indoors are great!
7) It’s cool to eat well — Try making homemade popsicles that are low on sugar and use 100% fruit juice and eat them as snacks. Other good summer snacking items are frozen peas, frozen fruit like blueberries, or chilled grapes. Eat lighter meals like chicken or pasta salad instead of hot, heavy dishes such as roasts.
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At Bellaire at Stone Port, we know that choosing the right community for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility. Touring communities and asking questions can be taxing.
Let us make the experience enjoyable for you! We invite you to schedule a visit and come out to experience the Stone Port difference for yourself.