HEALTH & MEDICINE :: JUNE/JULY 2007
Stay Cool and Stay Healthy
The summer is a great time to be active, but the harmful effects of hot weather can sneak up on you if you are not careful. This is particularly true for seniors. Seniors do not feel thirst as sharply as younger people, so they may not drink enough liquids. They may also be taking medications that decrease their ability to perspire. Since heat-related illnesses can be serious, it is important to take precautions.
- Stay hydrated. Make a concerted effort to drink plenty of liquids, regardless of your activity level—and don’t wait until you are thirsty. Avoid liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar. They can actually make you lose more fluids. If your doctor limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink when the weather is hot.
- Stay indoors. When the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illnesses. Take a cold shower or bath or turn on the air conditioning. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or the public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. *Stay comfortable. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. If you must go out, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours and try to rest often in shady areas.
In the summertime, staying cool means staying healthy. If you start to feel dizzy or weak, call your doctor immediately.
Keep Your Feet Firmly on the Ground
Everyone falls from time to time, but as you grow older the consequences of those spills can be more serious. But fear of falling is no reason to sit on the sidelines. With a little care and foresight on your part, you can continue to enjoy an active life while remaining firmly on your feet.
- Take part in an exercise program. Talk to your activities and volunteer coordinator about taking part in your community’s exercise program. Exercise can improve your sense of balance, sharpen your coordination, and make you stronger.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review the medicines you take, including nonprescription medications. Some combinations of medicines can make you feel drowsy or lightheaded.
- Have your vision check-ed by an eye doctor. Your eyes may have changed since you bought your last pair of glasses or you may have developed a condition like glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision.
- Get up slowly after you sit or lie down. Standing up suddenly can make anyone dizzy.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The ideal pair has thin, nonslip soles. Avoid slippers and running shoes with thick soles that can make you unsteady on your feet.
- Use a walking aid if necessary. If you need extra support to stay on your feet, by all means use a cane or walker. Others will appreciate your determination to be mobile.
We invite you to take action on just these six points. By doing so, you can significantly add to your safety, your independence, and your peace of mind.
Be Sure Your Living Area Is Safe
Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults, published by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, systematically helps you identify hazards. Download your copy of the guide at http://www.cdc.gov/ ncipc/pubres/tool kit/cksafety.pdf.
Heritage at Milford and Heritage at Dover will welcome your questions and offer assistance by providing written information and tours of our facility. Just give us a call. Contact Jason Hafer at the Milford location at (302) 422-8700 or Beth Jarrell at Dover (302)735-8800. We look forward to seeing you.
