When providing senior care, it’s essential to help individuals adjust to the changing seasons. With summer coming, the weather will change, and older people will need different assistance than during other times of the year. Here is a guide to help you provide the necessary care during this unique period.

How to Keep Your Senior Loved One Comfortable This Summer

1. Ensure the AC Is Working

Hire an HVAC specialist to inspect the senior’s HVAC system every spring to ensure the AC will work when the weather warms. Older individuals are at a heightened risk of becoming dehydrated and having heat stroke, so it’s essential to have an adequate AC to keep them cool.

2. Assess Medications

Some medications can cause UV sensitivity that may make seniors more likely to have a sunburn even with short exposures to sunlight. Some antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medications, and other drugs can have photosensitivity as a side effect. Check the labels on your senior loved one’s medicines and keep them out of the sun if necessary.

3. Go Out Outside of Peak Hours 

The sun is the hottest between noon and 3:00 p.m., so it’s best to avoid going out during these hours. Help the senior run errands in the morning or evening to prevent sunburn, heat stroke, and breathing difficulties caused by this intense heat. Also, only visit places that have air conditioning to keep the older person comfortable and safe.

4. Encourage Hydration

During the summer, everyone is more likely to become dehydrated because they’re bodies often use water faster than they drink it. Make sure the senior has a bottle of water available at all times to make drinking convenient. This is especially helpful for individuals who have mobility issues and may not be able to easily get to a faucet.

Those looking for non-medical senior care companions for the summer should contact Visiting Angels in Medina County, OH. Their unique team offers meal preparation, errand running, and friendship all customized to your loved one’s needs. Call the living assistance services team at (330) 723-0300 or check the website for information on their caring, compassionate senior caregivers.