Tips for Helping Seniors Stay Cool in Hot Weather

The heat during the summer months can be dangerous for your elderly parent, putting them at risk for heat-related injuries and illness such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If not detected and treated promptly and properly, this can even be fatal.

Taking steps to keep your elder parent cool at all times is vital to ensuring that they can still enjoy all of the fun and activities that are available during this time of year while remaining safe and healthy.

4 Tips to Help Seniors Stay Cool in Hot Weather

Use these tips to keep your elder cool when enjoying activities out of the home

1. Dress Appropriately

Choose clothing that is lightweight and lightly colored to reflect the radiant heat from the sun and allow the skin to breathe.

Avoid clothing that is tight or made of fibers that hold moisture to the skin.

2. Get out of the Car

Never leave an elderly adult in the car, even for a few minutes. Even when the outdoor temperatures are in the 60’s, the inside of a car can get to 110 degrees.

If you are parking the car, everyone needs to get out of it.

3. Go Slower

Avoid over-scheduling hot days. Going at a slower pace helps to avoid overheating.

If your parent starts to feel overly hot, allow them to rest in the coolest available place.

Particularly avoid strenuous activities during the hottest times of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

4. Stay Hydrated

When you are out having fun it can be easy to forget to get enough to drink. This reduces the body’s ability to control its temperature, leading to overheating.

Keep bottles of cold water available and sip on them throughout the day.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol, both of which increase water loss.

Contact Sonas for Home Health Care Services

Starting elder care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them in the course of your caregiver journey with them.

An elder home care services provider can be with your elder on the schedule that is right for them to provide a highly personalized set of services tailored toward addressing their individual challenges and limitations, as well as helping them to live a lifestyle that is active, engaged, independent, and fulfilling as possible as they age in place.

Knowing that your elder has this type of support can also be a tremendous source of peace of mind for you as their family caregiver. Even when you are not able to be with them, you can rest assured that they will have the care, support, and assistance that they need to stay safe and healthy.

When it comes to protecting your elderly parent from the heat, an elder care provider can be a valuable source of support, monitoring, and personalized services to help them stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay safe. They can be with your parent when your parent is out of the home to ensure that they have the proper tools to keep themselves cool, and they can also keep track of your parent’s condition to detect any indications of heat-related illness or injuries.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care services in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Health Care. Call today (888) 592-5855.

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.