6 Summer Safety Tips for Seniors

Sun exposure provides a valuable dose of vitamin D, but too much time in the sun can pose risks to a variety of health risks including skin cancer, heat stroke, and vision loss. In addition, the high summer temperatures can be especially dangerous for seniors. To help protect yourself and your loved ones, we have put together 6 summer safety tips for seniors to put into practice as they age.

1. Check medications

Before going out in the summer sun, check with your doctor or pharmacy to understand any side effects your medications may have related to sun exposure. Many don’t realize that medications can contain ingredients that make you more sensitive to sunlight, causing severe sunburns, blistering, or toxic or allergic reactions. These include antibiotics, some over-the-counter medications and some diabetes and blood pressure meds. The heat can also reduce the effectiveness of some medications, making it important to store in a cool place. If you are unsure or have any concerns, it is best to speak with your physician directly to ensure your health is protected during the warm summer months.

2. Stay hydrated

Hydration is always important, but when summer hits, staying hydrated is more difficult and  many people don’t realize the health risks dehydration can cause. Seniors are especially susceptible to dehydration as they lose their ability to conserve water as they age. Some seniors can become less aware of their thirst and forget to drink water or other hydrating liquids throughout the day.

3. Protect your skin and eyes

While the summer sun can cause health issues, it’s especially dangerous to your eyes and your skin. Vision loss is already a risk to the elderly and excessive exposure to the sun can irritate the eyes and cause further damage. Wearing sunglasses can protect your vision by shielding your eyes from harmful UV rays. For your skin, it is important to wear sunscreen, a hat, and thin long sleeve clothing to shield from harmful UV rays and protect against skin cancer.

4. Exercise with caution

If your daily exercise usually involves outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, or swimming, you should consider making adjustments to your workout routine during the summer to avoid potential health risks from the heat. Consider taking that morning walk or swim earlier before the sun is overhead and the temperatures are high. Another option is waiting until evening after sunset or exploring new indoor activities such as a stationary bike. If you are outdoors and moving, remember to bring your water. If you are unsure if an activity is safe for you to take on as you age, consult your physician or nurse practitioner.

5. Know signs of heat related illnesses

Heat related illnesses such as dehydration, heatstroke, hyperthermia, heat exhaustion, etc. can be fatal if not caught and treated quickly. To lower your risk, know the signs to look for such as dry skin, headache, lethargy, disorientation, a flushed face, nausea, rapid pulse, dizziness, confusion and high temperature. If you feel any of these symptoms while outside during the summer, call 911.

6. Have emergency contacts

If you are planning to spend an extended period of time outdoors in extreme weather (hot or cold), it is wise to let friends or family know. Even if you’re just gardening or going for a neighborhood walk, keep your mobile phone nearby. Most importantly, prepare a list of emergency phone numbers and have them handy in a place that’s easy-to-access. While summer brings longer and often more relaxing days, taking steps to keep yourself and loved ones safe and healthy from the heat and sun is vital. Yes, it’s the season for vacations, time with family and friends, and enjoying activities outdoors, but for aging individuals it is important to keep summer safety tips for seniors top-of-mind. Remaining healthy and injury free is the best way to enjoy the summer months.

Adobe Health & Wellness is dedicated to helping individuals live a healthier, more active quality of life as they age. To learn more about our case management services and innovative technology for health care visit adobecw.com

Alzheimers Awareness Month

4 Things to Know to Help Combat Alzheimer’s

June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and a good time to educate yourself on the prevention, treatment, and care of Alzheimer’s disease.  Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease and the most common form of dementia. Its most common symptoms are memory loss, cognitive decline and a decrease in reasoning skills that significantly interfere with daily life. Although most individuals experience a change in brain function as they age, severe cognitive decline is not a normal part of aging. Read on to learn more about steps you can take to help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease:

Tips for prevention

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk of contracting Alzheimer’s.

  • Regularly exercise

Exercise plays a vital role in the prevention of cognitive decline. Incorporating both physical and mental activities into daily life can help combat the development of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Incorporate activities that exercise the brain:

  • Learn a second language or playing a musical instrument
  • Play board games and cards with friends and family.
  • Try solving the daily crossword, sudoku or jigsaw puzzle
  • Read a book, write a story or poem or take a class

Add brain food to your daily diet. What you choose to eat can fuel your brain and help improve function as you age. In fact, diet is shown to be a pivotal factor in helping to preventing Alzheimer’s. The National Institute of Aging recommends the Mediterranean Diet or the MIND diet. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fish, and other seafood. It recommends low amounts of red meat, eggs, and sweets. The MIND diet is similar as it focuses on plant-based foods linked to dementia prevention. Check out the 10 healthy food groups to eat from on the MIND Diet here.

Love your heart. Taking care of your heart health also helps to prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. High blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are all health issues that can put you at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. For decades, researchers have found an undeniable connection between cardiovascular issues and dementia. These include heart failure, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and vasculopathy.

Protect your head. It goes without saying that you should protect yourself from head trauma. You can protect your head by:

  • Always wearing a seatbelt
  • Using a helmet when riding a bike or participating in sports
  • Safety proofing your home from falls by minimizing clutter, loose rugs and poor lighting 

Treatment and care for Alzheimer’s patients

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the prevention steps we’ve discussed are still good for helping to slow cognitive decline. In addition, a physician can provide medications and other guidance to help combat or slow down the effects of disease. Here are a few options to help care and treat someone with Alzheimer’s:

  • Reduce frustrations

A person with Alzheimer’s may become agitated when simple tasks become difficult for them to do by themselves. To avoid challenge and frustration:

  • Establish a daily routine
  • Allow time for completing or tackling activities
  • Give them choices and involve them in daily life activities
  • Provide simple instruction
  • Limit napping
  • Minimize distractions
  • Remain flexible

Over time, an individual with Alzheimer’s will become more dependent on their caregiver. It is best to be flexible to help minimize frustration. For example, if they insist on wearing the same outfit every day, perhaps buy a few identical outfits to keep them clean.

Alzheimer’s patients can exhibit different symptoms and progress at different rates of decline. To provide the best care, try to customize care to the individual’s unique needs at any given time. It is difficult for both the individual and their family members but try to be patient and flexible when interacting and providing care.

Take care of the caregiver

Caring for an individual or loved one with Alzheimer’s can be very taxing and stressful. To be the very best caregiver, it is vital to first care for yourself. Caregivers need to remain physically and mentally fit to care for the patient. Burn out is common. Be aware of the symptoms and consider options when you might need to take a step back and take a break.

The bottom line is incorporating healthy habits through diet, exercise and socialization is key to healthy aging. Establishing these practices and minimizing stress can make a significant difference. Lastly, visiting your doctor for regular health screenings is important to assess and minimize your risk of Alzheimer’s and other diseases.

Visit adobecw.com to learn more about the services and technology provided by Adobe Health & Wellness. We are dedicated to helping individuals live a healthier, more active quality of life as they age.