Summertime Tips For Seniors To Stay Cool And Well

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 11 Jun 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Summer weather draws people outdoors to enjoy sunshine, outdoor activities and occasions that bring family and friends together. Along with these summertime benefits come the mixed blessings of heat. Seniors are particularly vulnerable in hot weather to heat exhaustion or worse.

Sunrise Senior Living (NYSE: SRZ), one of the nation's largest providers of senior living services, recognizes that seniors, like everyone else, want to continue living life to the fullest no matter the time of year. Celebrating 25 years of service to seniors, Sunrise finds the warming weather a prime opportunity to share its years of experience encouraging seniors to enjoy the summer months while reminding them of the unique issues heat poses to people as they age.

"Preparation and moderation are important themes to remember if a senior plans to enjoy time outdoors during the summer months," said Carol Edelstein, vice president for Program Development at Sunrise Senior Living. "By following some common sense tips, seniors can more fully enjoy the good summer weather and avoid overexposure to the sun and heat."

The following tips may help reduce the chance that a senior will experience heat exhaustion and instead enjoy a nice summer day:

-- What's The Hurry? -- Summer should be enjoyed, so why rush? The faster you move the more your body heats, especially in warm weather. Slow down.

-- Cool Shades -- Plan outdoor activities for cooler early morning hours. Look for shaded areas such as a covered porch or under a tree to enjoy an activity. Heat can impact seniors as easily indoors as it can outdoors, so be sure air conditioning is used. Lower shades to keep light and heat out. Open windows and be sure to cross-ventilate a room by keeping inside doors open when air conditioning is unavailable. Consider visiting or volunteering at a place with air conditioning on hot days.

-- A Need to Scream for Ice Cream -- Ice cream, popsicles and other frozen treats are refreshing on a warm day. Also, drink plenty of water, juice and sports drinks while avoiding caffeine. Eat cool or cold foods such as sandwiches and salads. Fresh vegetables and fruits generally contain water too and can help hydrate while offering a healthy snack. The key is to stay hydrated.

-- Hot Fashion to Stay Cool -- Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothes. Lighter colors and cotton materials are best for warm weather. Wear U/V skin protection while also donning a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella to protect from overexposure to the sun.

-- Consult Your Doctor -- Signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion are less pronounced in seniors due to aging, certain medications and chronic conditions. Speak with a doctor about how these circumstances could change your body's ability to manage heat.

-- What If -- Signs of heat exhaustion include fatigue, weakness, nausea, heavy sweating or no sweating, rapid pulse, confusion or fainting.

-- Immediately move seniors exhibiting these signs to a cool place and provide cool water or juice. Apply cool compresses and call for medical assistance if necessary.

"Common sense tips to beat the heat can help seniors and all of us; however, frailer seniors living alone should have someone look in on them during hot weather. Family caregivers, neighbors and friends are natural and helpful options if they are available. Sunrise also has services to provide assistance during the summer," added Edelstein.

Sunrise Senior Living offers two programs to help seniors and family caregivers receive additional assistance during the summer months. Sunrise At Home services are available in eight metropolitan areas and can provide daily checks on seniors while also assisting them with personal care and various homemaker services such as cooking, light cleaning and companionship.

Family caregivers who travel during the summer and need someone to care for their senior loved one can also benefit from the short-term stay program at Sunrise communities. Short-term stay guests are offered meals, assistance with personal care, social programs and wellness visits by the community's licensed nurse if necessary. Additionally, guests have a private, fully furnished suite and can also bring their pet dog or cat if they are able to care for it.

Sunrise Senior Living, a McLean, Va. based company, employs more than 40,000 people. As of March 31, 2006, Sunrise operated 423 communities in the United States, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom with a combined capacity for more than 51,000 residents. Sunrise also had 46 communities under construction in these countries with a combined capacity for more than 6,000 additional residents. Sunrise offers a full range of personalized senior living services, including independent living, assisted living, care for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss, as well as nursing and rehabilitative care. Sunrise's senior living services are delivered by staff trained to encourage the independence, preserve the dignity, enable freedom of choice and protect the privacy of residents. To learn more about Sunrise, please visit http://www.sunriseseniorliving.com.

Sunrise Senior Living
http://www.sunriseseniorliving.com