Summer Safety Tips for Seniors: How to Beat the Heat

Summer has officially arrived. It’s the season of fun and relaxation. And for those living in Florida, summer also means the heat has officially stepped up. While being outside in the heat can feel nice in small doses, too much heat can lead to safety concerns for seniors and individuals of all ages. 

Summer Safety Concerns

Being exposed to the sun and heat for too long can cause concern for seniors. Some heat-related conditions to be wary of this summer include dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and sunburn. 

• Dehydration is when your body loses more fluids than it’s taking it. This typically happens in the summer when you’re sweating and not getting enough water. Signs of dehydration include feeling thirsty, dizziness, dark urine, dry mouth, and fatigue.
• Heat exhaustion is what happens to your body if you become too dehydrated. Signs of heat exhaustion include headaches, dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, and high body temperature. 
• Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition when your body gets too hot and cannot regulate its temperature. If you have heat stroke, you may experience confusion, a loss of consciousness, profuse sweating, or seizures. 
• Sunburn is a skin reaction to UV rays that can cause pain, itchiness, or blistering. Sunburns also increase your risk of skin cancers.

Tips To Beat The Heat

Stay safe this summer and enjoy the heat responsibly with the tips for beating the heat. 

Hydrate 

Many heat-related conditions stem from dehydration. So, one of the best ways to prevent heat-related concerns is to stay hydrated, especially when spending time outdoors. A good rule of thumb regarding water is to drink 100 oz daily for men and 75 oz for women. Not only will water keep you hydrated and reduce your risk of heat-related issues, but drinking adequate water can also decrease your risk of kidney stones. 

Another way to stay hydrated is to get enough electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium. These minerals help your body retain the water you drink so you don’t lose it all when you urinate or sweat. Good sources of these electrolytes include coconut water, bananas, yogurt, and sweet potatoes.

Protect Your Skin 

Keep your skin safe from the sun’s harmful UV rays with sunscreen. Even if it’s not a particularly sunny day, you still want to apply sunscreen to any exposed areas, such as your face, neck, and hands. You can further protect your skin by weathering breathable clothing that covers the skin and hats. 

Sunscreen can wear off, especially if you’re in water or sweating. To ensure maximum protection, reapply sunscreen every hour or so. 

Limit Your Time Outside

Getting outdoors has many benefits, but the risks start to outweigh those benefits when the temperatures start to rise. Limit your time outdoors, especially when temperatures hit the triple digits. If you want to enjoy an outdoor activity, schedule it for early morning when the sun has not hit its apex or later in the day when the sun starts to set.

Keep Your Home Cool

Even if you’re not spending much time outdoors, you can still overheat by sitting in your house if it’s not cool. Keep your home in the mid to low 70s by running an AC unit or having fans throughout the house to help with airflow. 

Keeping your home cool can be expensive, and sometimes running fans and air conditioning all day is unattainable. If you cannot keep your home cool, consider visiting a Punta Gorda cooling center such as the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library or South County Regional Park. These locations allow you to relax and cool down in a safe space. 

Beat The Heat With Visiting Angels

Taking care of yourself in the summer months can be a lot, but that’s where Visiting Angels can step in to help. Our caregivers are happy to help you apply sunscreen, remind you about your water intake, or find ways to help cool you and your home down. They’re also available for transportation to a local cooling center or a doctor if you need medical attention. 

Contact us or give us a call 941-347-8288 to learn more about our at-home care services for seniors throughout Punta Gorda and the surrounding Florida communities.