Safe Living in the Summer!

We are all glad summer is here. We can get out and about, spend more time outdoors, and take up our favorite outdoor activities. Standard summer safety tips apply to everybody, but seniors need to be even more careful. Older adults don’t regulate body temperatures or adapt to heat and cold as quickly as younger people.

So it’s best to strike a balance between summer fun and caution. Consider these factors before you venture out:

1. Every summer safety tip article begins with “stay hydrated.” We lose body fluids through activity and evaporation, so we need to drink more. And most people feel hunger far more than thirst, so carry a water bottle when you’re going to be outside. Caffeine is a diuretic that can hasten fluid loss, so forego or moderate consumption of caffeine.
2. Plan activities in time blocks, take indoor breaks, and don’t stay out too long. We’ve all experienced a sunburn we didn’t feel coming until it was too late. And very high temperatures for prolonged periods can bring on heat exhaustion (heat stroke).
3. Layer your clothing so you can adapt to changing temperatures. Outside its hot, but air-conditioned stores and restaurants can be very chilly.
4. Use sunscreen. Seniors may be more sensitive to sun burn and dehydration, so keep your sunscreen with you and don’t forget to reapply it according to the directions. Bug repellent is also recommended. Diseases like West Nile Virus, carried by mosquitoes, can be very serious to anyone with fragile health.
5. Use your air conditioning. You don’t need to refrigerate the house, just keep the temps in the low to mid 70s. Refresh the house air by opening the windows in the cooler evenings if you can. If you don’t have an air conditioned house, identify places you can go to cool off.
6. Stay in touch with friends and family members. Arrange a check-in time as appropriate, tell people where you are going and when you expect to be back. This is essential if you live and/or go out alone in very hot weather.
7. If you don’t drive, and it’s too hot and/or too far to walk, AgeWell Rides may be able to help. Volunteers drive eligible seniors to local activities, doctors’ appointments and the like. Call the AgeWell hotline for more information: 412-422-0400
8. And, finally, know the signs of heat-related illness: flushed face, high body temperature, headache, nausea, rapid pulse, dizziness and confusion. If you feel any of these coming on, or if you notice these symptoms in an older adult, take action immediately.
   With a little common sense and some essential summer accessories, you can take full advantage of the warmer months, and in Pittsburgh they are to be fully treasured!