For many people, seniors included, summer is the best time of the year. The weather is great, the produce is fresh, the light of day lingers longer, and it’s time to enjoy the outdoors. 

But with the good there’s also some dangers. Especially for seniors, having a safe summer includes being aware of the dangers of excessive sun and heat to include sunburns, heat strokes, and dehydration.

A healthy summer

A healthy summer starts with exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 150 minutes of aerobic physical activity per week.

The immediate benefits to exercise include:

—Improved sleep quality

—Reducing anxiety

—Lowering blood pressure

The long-term benefits include:

—Improved brain health and reducing the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and lowering the risk of depression

—Lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes

—Lowers the risk of cancers to include bladder, breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, lung, and stomach

—Reduces the risk of weight gain

—Improves bone health

—Reduces the risks of falls

A safe summer of exercise

When you exercise outside, choose the early morning before it gets too hot and while the sun is still low on the horizon so there’s shade.

If there’s extreme heat, stay inside. Exercise in the gym or go for a swim in an indoor pool.

Remember to keep cool, especially if you have chronic medical conditions. This means stay cool in air conditioning, use a fan if it’s helpful, stay hydrated, and watch the weather.

Tips for being safe in the outdoors

When you’re heading outside, follow these CDC safety guidelines:

—Wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs and wide-brimmed hats

—Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for protection from the sun

—Use insect repellent and long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites and ticks

—Apply sunscreen before the insect repellent

When you come back inside, check for ticks on your clothing, your body, and your pets if you have them. When you go swimming, reapply sunscreen after two hours of swimming and after you towel off. Also, reapply sunscreen when you’re sweating.

Stay hydrated!

Drink water regularly during the summer. Thirst is a sign of dehydration and as you get older, your body naturally loses its ability to conserve fluid. Which makes staying hydrated all the more important.

Make it a goal to drink six to eight cups of water a day. Drink water consistently and avoid liquids that are diuretics such as coffee or soda pop.

A CARING-FIRST ENVIRONMENT

Senior living communities like Regency at Augusta are precisely that—a community. Residents become friends and even family, and a caring team is there to help them maintain their quality of life.

At Regency at Augusta, we offer both Assisted Living and Memory Care and we care with Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Residents first and Teamwork. We like to call it Caring with H.E.A.R.T.™!

If you believe a senior living community would benefit your loved one, get in touch with us. Schedule a visit or download a brochure today!