Keeping Your Senior Mom Cool During the Summer

During the summer, a senior needs to focus on staying cool and hydrated. Because their bodies don’t react as well to high temperatures, seniors need to be very careful to avoid overheating and heat stroke. Alzheimer’s patients and the elderly with dementia are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke because they may not realize they are overheating or how to take appropriate cooling measures. If you notice your senior has not been preparing for the heat properly, consider hiring home care assistance to help keep them safe in the summer. Here are some practical steps to take that can keep your senior from overheating:

Offer Cold Drinks Frequently

Wherever your mom is sitting and working on projects or even when they’re out gardening, always ensure that water is easily accessible. Sometimes a senior won’t know they’re thirsty but will grab a drink if it is available. This is also one of the easiest ways to ensure they stay hydrated on hot days. Heat stroke can be deadly and dangerous for seniors, so it is important to note how many glasses of water they’ve had. Home care assistance can provide your senior with refreshing drinks and remind them to have water often throughout the day.

Opt for Cooling Snacks

Tons of low-sugar cooling snacks can be refreshing for seniors. Popsicles with low sugar are a great choice on a sweltering day but also cucumbers and hummus. Cucumbers are filled with super refreshing water and vitamins that are essential to have in the body. You can go to the store with your senior mom and figure out what cooling snacks they want to eat. Some seniors may prefer fresh fruits over vegetables, and the best thing about grabbing some fruit is you can put them in your water to flavor it or make the fruit into ice cubes for water.

Use a Cool Washcloth

Home Care Assistance in Westchester County NY

If a senior can’t seem to cool down easily, a good trick is to grab a cold, damp paper towel or washcloth. Once it is wet, place it on the back of their necks or foreheads to help regulate their body temperature. This is a useful trick that anyone can use regardless of age.

Try to Keep the House Cool

Air conditioners not installed in a house but sitting on the floor or in the window is a great way to keep one room cooled down. Not everyone can afford to have AC installed in a house, but there are a lot of great alternatives to keep the home cooled off. It is so essential to create an enjoyable space to walk into and relax. This will help keep your senior comfortable throughout the summer months.

Wear Light Clothing

Your senior mom should be wearing the right clothing to keep cool, but they also need to keep in mind the sun. They should wear clothing that helps protect their skin but also be light and breathable. This is something they may not want your help with as an adult child but something that home care assistance will be able to help with. Anywhere there is exposed skin should be covered with sunscreen.

If you are considering home care assistance in Westchester County, NY, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts At Home of NYC today at 212-201-6139.