Keeping Seniors Safe During High Summer Temperatures

Warm summer days can boost the spirits and bring a renewed sense of wellness. But older loved ones should take some added precautions so their enjoyment of warm weather is not overshadowed by dehydration, heat illness, or sunburn. 

When it comes to elder care services, Iowa families should do all they can to make sure their older loved ones are protected from the humidity and high temperatures of the season. Seniors could experience reduced sensitivity to heat or thirst as they grow older. Plus, certain conditions, like heart disease or medications, could increase the risk of seasonal dangers. To make sure your elderly family member or friend stays safe and can enjoy the summer, take these following tips into consideration.

Seek out air conditioning. If possible, make sure your loved one has access to air conditioning. Whether in their own home, or in a nearby area, the cooler, low-humidity air can help keep them comfortable and safe. Fans are not enough during the hottest days of the year. If there is no air conditioning in their home, look for spots close by that provide relief, like a movie theater, a library, a local senior center, or a library.

Stay inside. Especially mid-afternoon when the temperatures are highest, remind your loved one to stay indoors. If they do go outside, they should have sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and should wear sunglasses and a hat to protect their vision and skin from the sun’s strong rays. 

Avoid overexertion. Gardening in the summer heat is not the best idea for anyone, let alone an older family member or friend. During warmer days, remind your loved one to avoid strenuous activity. If they have chores to tend to, your older loved one should wait until temperatures begin to cool. They could also start their chores early in the day before temperatures rise. 

Check in. During a heat wave, elderly family members or friends should check in with a residential care provider or relative at least two times a day. That way, should anything go amiss, someone would be on alert and able to offer assistance. 

Guarding Against Heat Illness

Staying out in the sun too long can contribute to many serious health complications. Beware of both heat exhaustion and heat stroke and contact a medical provider immediately if your loved one experiences any of the following symptoms. 

-Heat exhaustion means your older family member or friend’s body is unable to properly cool itself. Warning signs and symptoms of this condition may include dizziness, thirst, impaired coordination, sweating, nausea, and weakness. Body temperature should stay normal, but skin might feel clammy and cold. Pulse could either stay normal or it could increase. If these symptoms occur, make sure your loved one rests in a cool area, drinks enough water, and takes a cool shower or bath. If not treated immediately, heat exhaustion could evolve into heat stroke.

-Heat stroke refers to a potentially fatal condition that needs immediate medical attention. If heat exhaustion symptoms do not subside, call 911 and help your loved one find a cool place to rest. Other symptoms may include fainting, irritability, confusion, body temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, flushed skin, weak pulse, deliriousness, or falling into a coma. 

Keep your elderly family members and friends safe this summer. Offer them places to escape the heat if they have none, and make sure they have someone to check in with daily. By taking precautions and preparing for heat, you can help protect their safety and their ability to enjoy the beautiful summer season. 

Tips for Planning a Vacation with Elderly Family Members

Families are heading out for their big vacation this summer, and many of you are inviting your elderly loved one, too. With a bit of preparation, you can make the trip easy and enjoyable for your older family member or friend, and plan a vacation everyone will have fun on. Whether you’re driving, flying, or taking a cruise, there are lots of ways that you can simplify travel and provide proper care for seniors. Here are a few tips to help you plan a more comfortable and safer vacation for your elderly loved one.

Talk to the doctor. If possible, talk to your older family member’s doctor. Let the physician know that you are planning to travel soon and learn if the doctor advises a checkup. Consider discussing if the destination is appropriate for his or her individual abilities. Learn if they will need any particular vaccinations. Also consider exploring any supplements or medications that might help if anxiety or other mental health issues arise. Your family member should always get the “okay” from his or her physician before heading out on the road. 

Pack wisely. Prior to leaving for a trip, make sure your loved one has an “essentials” kit. A personal elder care kit should have all of their medications, personal documents, contact information, snacks, and entertainment items like a deck of cards. Also consider packing a sweater and travel pillow for maximum comfort. Try to keep this bag light and small so it is easy to carry. 

Plan downtime. When planning the vacation itinerary, always schedule in some downtime. Even if your older loved one is vibrant and energetic, they will still appreciate some built-in relaxation. And chances are, you will too. 

Keep stress to a minimum. If you are flying, you might experience layovers. This could cause difficulty or frustration for everyone, including your older loved one. If it is available, opt for a non-stop flight to your destination. That removes the hassle of deplaning and boarding a handful of times on each part of the journey. 

Book accommodations early on. Consider if your older loved one has any special needs. If they are in a wheelchair, or use a walker or mobility equipment, you will want to rent a vehicle of suitable size. Waiting until the last minute to book might make this impossible. If flying, try to request a seat in a disabled travelers area. If there is meal service during any travel, let staff know if your loved one has any special dietary needs. 

Keep open communication. Before each activity on a trip, make sure you clearly communicate with your loved one. This is most important if your family member or friend has Alzheimer’s or a different form of cognitive decline. Let them know what the plan is and what you all will be doing. While on vacation, care for elderly loved ones means making sure that plans work for their individual capabilities. Talking out the plan will ensure that everyone on the trip will have a chance to enjoy his or her time.

Vacationing with the whole family is meant to be a fun, enjoyable, safe experience for everyone. By preparing in advance, you can ensure that your older loved one will have everything they need to make the most of your family trip.

How to Prevent Falls Around the Home

June is National Safety Month, and that means now is a great time to reassess your or an older parent’s home. You can help them prevent falls by fixing up dangerous spots around a house they spend time in. If a parent is in senior care, families may also want to help improve their own homes for when they come to visit. 

Whether you are assessing an older loved one’s house or your own, there are many ways you can help reduce the risk of falls and improve levels of safety. Since one in three older adults will fall every year, there is an increased risk of broken bones, difficulty getting around, or many other health problems. But by being proactive, you can help reduce these risks and create a safer, happier, healthier environment for your older parent or loved one. 

Fall Prevention Homecare

When looking around the house, there are a few areas that tend to put older adults at greater risk for falls. Evaluate these rooms and spots, and make any necessary changes to help keep everyone safe. 

Stairways. Take a close look at stairs around the home and make sure that handrails are securely fastened to the wall. Check to see that they are not broken or cracked in any spots, either. In addition, you can improve functionality and safety by installing a second set of handrails, so they are on both sides of the steps.

Bathrooms. Be sure that an older loved one can move easily and safely around the bathroom. This should include getting in and out of a tub or shower. To make these areas even safer, closely look to see if there is soap build-up around washing areas. Remove it on a regular basis, as build-up will make surfaces slippery, and can drastically increase the risk of falls. 

Other ways to improve bathroom safety are to install non-slip stickers in the bath or shower to add traction, and install shower grab bars that older adults can use for added support. If necessary, consider installing bars by the toilet, too. However, always use secure reinforcements to prevent them from coming loose. Lastly, prevent the risk of tripping on bathroom rugs by securing them with non-slip double-sided rug tape. 

Kitchen. Commonly used items, like foods or dishes, should always be within reach. Consider how tall your older loved one is, and make sure they will not have to bend or reach to get them. For items that need to be stored up high, make sure that a step stool with a bar (for added support) is easily accessible. 

All other rooms. Do an all-around inspection and check to see that hallways and rooms are free of obstacles. Move boxes, cords, plants, furniture, and other items out of trafficked areas to ensure smooth movement from room to room. In addition, when packing things away, make sure that more frequently used items like bed coverings or clothing are within reach but still out of the way. 

Rugs and floors. Make sure that all floorboards are even and level. Also look at rugs to see that they are completely secured to the floor with double-sided tape, non-skid pads, tacks, or other trusted materials. When waxing a floor, always use non-skid wax.

Lighting. Another key to fall prevention is installing proper lighting around the house. Place nightlights in bedrooms, hallways, stairways and bathrooms to make sure that your older loved one can see well enough to get around at night. Also, conduct a lighting check around stairways and make sure that there are light switches at both the top and bottom of their stairs. As a rule of thumb, install sufficient lighting in any dark spaces around the house to make movement safer for everyone in the home. 

When providing elder care services, Iowa families should take fall prevention seriously. By being proactive and making a home safer, families can help keep their older loved ones more protected, healthier, and happier in their homes for longer.  

Benefits of Adding Berries to Your Older Loved One’s Diet

When it comes to proactive dementia care, Cedar Falls families can look to berries to help their older loved ones stay healthier. Berries are abundant this time of year, and not only are they tasty, but they are also proven to help reduce the risks of developing dementia. 

In terms of developing the condition, the Annals of Neurology journal reports that inflammation and stress can contribute to dementia. However, the high levels of flavanoids found in berries could actually counteract the negative effects of stress or inflammation. 

One study revealed that eating 75 grams of blueberries and 150 grams of strawberries each week could actually delay cognitive decline by 2.5 years. Both of these berries are a good source of flavanoids, which are plant compounds that provide both antioxidants and powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. 

These facts are important to keep in mind when providing care for elderly parents. The study’s authors even said that there is “substantial biologic evidence” that supports a berry-rich diet in protecting the brain. Many flavanoids are linked with reduced levels of inflammation, which many scientists already correlate with dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases. In addition, the antioxidants in flavanoids can guard against cell damage from dangerous forms of oxygen, or “free radicals,” and have also been shown to protect the brain in many other ways. 

Previous studies have suggested that berries provided an anti-aging effect. However, these studies were traditionally limited to smaller trials among the elderly or were developed with animal models. Recent research, conducted by Harvard Medical School, observed information from thousands of middle-aged females who had filled out questionnaires starting in the late 1970s. They were asked about the foods they ate. Every four years, they responded to a survey. They also underwent memory and thinking skills tests every two years, which began at the age of 70. For the 16,000 subjects over 70 years of age, their cognitive function was observed every two years.

During the study, researchers discovered that those who ate the most blueberries and strawberries exhibited the lowest rates of mental decline. The largest benefits were seen in those who ate at least one serving of blueberries weekly or at least two servings of strawberries every week. 

These fruits are rich in flavanoids, or the pigments that give the berries their color. These flavanoids are also found in other vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and nuts. 

In the study, a larger rate of consumption of anthocyanidins, a particular type of flavanoid, and the total level of flavanoids consumed, were correlated with lower cognitive degeneration. In essence, those women who consumed more berries staved off mental decline and aging by upwards of 2.5 years.

Berries and other whole foods can play an important role in providing quality senior care for your loved one. This summer season, consider visiting your local farmers’ market or spending more time in the produce section to find these powerful foods that could work to secure the health of your older parents.