10 Tips for Senior Summer Safety

by Carol Phipps for Creative Home Therapy

Summer months are great for increasing exercise and activity. Warm, dry weather tends to be gentler on bones and joints of seniors. Longer daylight makes it safer to enjoy outdoor activities. Many seniors enjoy walking and hiking, and the summer months are great for that. There are many outdoor games that can provide fun exercise for seniors: corn hole, horseshoes, ladder ball, croquet, and bocce ball are some of my favorites. Lakes and pools are more enjoyable when the weather is warm, and the water is not as cold.

Keep these ten things in mind:

1. You may be more tired than you realize after a pool workout. Plan ahead and have a chair close to the pool steps to rest afterwards. Use sunscreen, wear non slip shoes, and use caution on the rails/steps.
2. Time your activity according to the weather. Storms and heat waves can be dangerous. Consider going outdoors in the morning or evening. Avoid the midday sun.
3. Minimize alcohol and caffeine, especially in the sun.  Hydrate with water through out the day, and have access to water during your activity.
4. Be proactive and eat foods that naturally contain high water content. Take advantage of all the fresh summer produce.
5. Plan ahead for rest breaks if you’re out walking or hiking. Know where shade, a bench, or place to rest is located so you can have quick access if needed.
6. Know the typical symptoms of overexertion: nausea, dizziness, pain, extreme fatigue. The heat can increase your susceptibility to overexertion. Gardening, hiking, and yard work in the heat without breaks can lead to serious illness.
7. Know the typical symptoms of overheating: dizziness, confusion, severe headache, feeling faint, cramps, fatigue, clamminess are a few. If you have those symptoms stop your activity immediately, move to a cooler place and hydrate.
8. Pay attention to your summertime equipment. Avoid low chairs, and sit in study chairs with armrests for improved safety. Wear a hat, and supportive shoes. Protect your eyes with good sunglasses.
9. Be aware of your medications and their side effects. Low sodium diets and certain medications my leave you more susceptible to over heating by reducing you natural water loss through sweating, or increasing your sensitivity to the sun.
10. Stay on top of your medical diagnoses as well. Know what and how your health issues (especially cardiac or kidney) may put you at risk regarding exercise and heat. Know and follow any restrictions to heart rate limit, or exertion, that your physician recommends. The heat can increase your heart rate and blood pressure.

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