Hello and summer is still going strong! We often associate the end of July with getting ready for Fall. However, it is still summer; it is still hot; and there is time to still enjoy the long days of summer fun. While enjoying summer, we also need to keep our aging parents and friends safe and hydrated during the heat. What are the safety concerns of our aging loved ones? Check out the list below to understand what to do for your aging parents and still enjoy the dog days of summer! 

6 Summer Safety Tips for Aging Parents so They Enjoy the Summer!

1. Give your Doctor a quick call about medications. It is very important to know if medications need to be kept out of the heat, or if your parents need to be kept out of the heat, if they are taking certain medications. How do you know? Contact your physician and get the scoop on what medications are affected by the sun and heat. You want your parents to be able to have their medications to work consistently and effectively during the summer. Make that call and read the labels for possible side effects of your parents medications.
2. Monitor the Heat with Chronic Medical Conditions. The heat can be hard on aging adults and for aging adults with chronic conditions, it can be worse! You need to make sure to keep your aging loved ones cool, and especially if they have a chronic illness. Usually that means to remain indoors with air conditioning running in extreme heat conditions. However, if you do not have air conditioning, what do you do? You can visit a mall or movie theater or any other place that has air conditioning to keep cool as much as you can. Between June and August you can enjoy great fun outdoors, but if the weather is scorching hot, think about indoor activities. Monitoring your aging parents or loved ones’ health during the heat of summer is a must! 
3. Keep in Touch. When mom or dad are feeling great and going for a hike, it would be fantastic if they shared with you where they were hiking. It is important to keep connected when the weather is HOT and your adventurous aging parents are out and about. It is the “just in case” scenario at work. What if mom fell or what if dad did not hydrate and had a heat stroke. You need to keep in touch with your aging loved ones when they are out and about in the heat of summer. Make sure they are safe, plain and simple. 
4. Protect your skin and dress appropriately. When the heat is on, you need to always wear lighter clothing, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. You might get chilly in an air conditioned restaurant or a friend’s home, but you need to have light layers to endure the heat. You also need to protect your skin with sunscreen and make sure you are shading your face from the sun too! Many older adults suffer from sun damage and skin cancer. Therefore, you need to cover your sun exposed parts in sunscreen in addition to wearing protective hats, clothing and sunglasses. 
5. Understand the Signs of Heat Stroke. If you are feeling light-headed or nauseated you may be suffering from heat stroke. You need to know the signs to protect yourself or other aging friends around you. Heat stroke is advanced hyperthermia and can cause death. You need to be aware if you or your family or friend exhibit any of the signs. The signs of heat stroke or overheating include: not sweating, fainting, heavy breathing, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, headache, flushed skin, change in behavior like agitation, and body temperature over 104 degrees. If you experience any of these signs, seek medical attention immediately. 
6. Stay Hydrated! Last but not least, as you age, you do not conserve water like you used to. Also, some of your medications can possibly hasten the path of dehydration. It is essential you drink lots of water and make sure that you are not dehydrated and getting sick. Drink lots of water or other refreshing drinks that will help you stay cool and hydrated. 

The summer is not over yet, so enjoy it while it lasts. However, do be mindful of your senior parents, friends and loved ones. You need to make sure they are safe and hydrated during the heat of July and August. Need more tips on senior care? Contact Ann at Senior Living Options to help guide you through the senior care maze. She has over 17 years of experience in the senior care industry.

Author: Ann Jamison

Ann Jamison is an experienced senior advisor who has successfully worked with hundreds of families to help them find the best care and home-like environment for themselves or their loved ones. Prior to launching Senior Living Options, Ann was an eldercare advisor for a national placement agency and served as sales director at a senior living community. Thanks to her 25-year career in advertising sales and marketing, Ann is able to discern between hype and reality for her clients. Ann recognizes that there are objective factors that need to be weighed when making a life-changing decision, but she can also assess the important softer attributes by getting to know her clients and by using the gut instincts that can only come through extended experience.