Easy Ways For Seniors To Avoid Lyme Disease

By Zandrea Durham | May 16, 2023 | Comments Off on Easy Ways For Seniors To Avoid Lyme Disease

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and now that the weather is getting warm and seniors will be heading outdoors to participate in fun activities there are some things that seniors, their families, and their companion care at home aides should do to protect themselves from Lyme Disease.

Companion Care at Home Cochran GA - Easy Ways For Seniors To Avoid Lyme Disease
Companion Care at Home Cochran GA – Easy Ways For Seniors To Avoid Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is caused by the bite of an infected tick. And with tick populations on the rise in most areas, seniors have an increased risk of getting bitten by a tick when they are outdoors. Seniors who enjoy outdoor activities like gardening, hiking, golfing, or just spending time in the backyard with their companion care at home provider or their family members need to be very careful to avoid tick bites. Lyme Disease can cause a wide array of health problems and make existing health problems worse.

But seniors can avoid ticks that carry Lyme Disease by doing things like:

Wearing Long Pants

The best thing that seniors can do to avoid getting bitten by ticks is to wear long pants. When the weather is really warm it can be uncomfortable to wear long pants instead of shorts or capri pants but long pants that go past the ankle are the best protection against ticks. Seniors can look for pants in light fabrics like breezy cotton or cool linen so that they can be cool in the warm weather even though they are covered up.

Tucking Pants Into Socks

Wearing long pants is only part of the equation when it comes to protection from ticks. Seniors should also be wearing thick socks and tucking their pants into the tops of their socks. That may look a little funny but it will prevent ticks from getting under a senior’s pant leg and attaching itself to their leg. Anytime seniors are going to be hiking or participating in outdoor activities they should do this to protect themselves from ticks. Seniors should also wear closed-toe shoes and not sandals. Running shoes are fine as long as they sit on the ankle.

Avoiding Tall Grass

Tall grass is one of the places where ticks like to hide, so seniors should avoid walking in tall grass if possible. Companion care at home can help seniors keep walkways and deck areas clear of weeds and tall grass that might be attractive to ticks. And getting the lawn mowed regularly will also reduce the number of ticks in the area. Seniors should pay attention to their surroundings when they are golfing, hiking, or just walking outdoors to make sure that they are avoiding any areas with tall grass.

Apply Insect Repellent with Companion Care at Home Help

There is no tick repellent that is 100% effective, but insect repellent can be helpful in keeping ticks at bay. When seniors are going to be outdoors it’s a good idea for them to use a high-quality insect repellent. And seniors who have dogs should make sure that their dogs are getting a topical flea and tick repellent every month so that they don’t end up getting bitten by a tick and getting Lyme Disease because dogs can also get Lyme Disease.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Cochran GA please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.

Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, Gray, Milledgeville, Forsyth, Cochran, Jeffersonville, Eastman, Fort Valley, and the surrounding areas.

Zandrea Durham
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