Care Ideas for Keeping Your Elder Cooler in Warm Weather
Warm weather is more than just uncomfortable. For your senior, it can be debilitating, especially if she has health issues that make her more likely to experience a heat-related illness. Elder care providers can help keep her comfortable and safe.
Elder care aides can be there to assist with these suggestions.
Encourage Plenty of Hydrating Beverages
Drinking water regularly throughout the day can help your senior’s body to stay hydrated, which helps with temperature regulation. Also, if she’s sweating a lot, she needs to replenish that water. Caffeine and alcohol both function as diuretics, so it’s best to avoid those as much as possible. If your elderly family member doesn’t like drinking water, you may need to get creative.
Keep Damp Washcloths at the Ready
On an especially hot day, it’s surprising how well a damp washcloth can help. Keeping a shallow dish with cool water lets your senior refresh the washcloth. An even better idea can be keeping some damp cloths in the fridge for a super quick cooldown.
Stock up on Cool Snacks and Meals
Eating hot food can be really unappealing when it’s hot outside, but your senior still needs to get plenty of nutrients. Cool snacks and meals can be a huge help. Pasta salads, stuffed tomatoes, salads, and other cool summer choices are all excellent ideas. It can also help to have someone else preparing foods. Elder care providers can check in with your senior and help her by preparing plenty of easy to grab cool foods.
Keep a Fan Running
It’s important to do things like keep blinds and curtains closed to keep sun out, but if your senior’s home has ceiling fans or other fans, those can help quite a bit. They circulate air without leaving her feeling chilled like air conditioning might if it’s turned down too low.
Try Cool Baths or Showers at Night with the Help of Elder Care Aides
There’s nothing like a cool bath or shower taken at the end of the day to remove sweat residue and to help your senior to feel a little cooler so she can sleep easier. Elder care providers can help her to be safe as she bathes, and ensure that she’s cooled down from a super-hot day.
With the right plan, and a little help from elder care providers, your elderly family member can do quite a lot to beat the heat. Elder care providers can also stay on the lookout for signs that your elderly family member might be in the earliest stages of a heat-related illness, ensuring she gets help fast.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elder Care Services in Forsyth GA please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111
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