Summer brings warmth, excitement, and adventure, but the high temperatures can also pose challenges for seniors. Heat-related threats, like dehydration and heat stroke, demand extra caution and preparation. To help you have a comfortable and relaxing summer, we’ve created an extensive senior safety checklist that includes key senior heat precautions and heat-related home modifications for seniors.
Read on to learn more about senior summer safety.
Common summer senior safety risks
During the summer, seniors can face several health risks due to the hot weather. Age, chronic conditions, and prescription medications put seniors particularly at risk for heat-related health concerns. Some of the most common senior summer safety risks include:
- Dehydration: Seniors are more prone to dehydration due to decreased thirst sensation and slower kidney function. Hot weather exacerbates this risk, leading to dehydration, dizziness, confusion, and possible heat stroke.
- Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion and heat stroke occur when the body overheats from high temperatures and dehydration. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that needs prompt treatment. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, and headaches.
- Sunburn: Seniors generally have thinner, more fragile skin, which is more susceptible to sun damage. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can lead to sunburn, which causes pain, blistering, and long-term skin damage.
- Respiratory issues: High temperatures and poor air quality in the summer can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, and allergies.
- Exacerbation of health conditions: Hot weather can worsen the symptoms of many chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune conditions. Dehydration and heat exhaustion strain the cardiovascular system, so individuals with heart concerns should be especially mindful.
- Increased risk of falls: Dehydration, dizziness, and weakness associated with hot weather can increase the risk of falls among seniors. Falls are one of the primary concerns in senior safety plans, so it’s critical to monitor for heat-related fatigue or muscle weakness that can impair your balance or coordination.
- Electrolyte imbalance: Excessive sweating in high temperatures can lead to electrolyte imbalances, like changes in sodium and potassium. This senior safety risk disrupts normal bodily functions and can lead to severe consequences like brain swelling, shock, or abnormal heart rate.
- Medication interactions: Many medications commonly prescribed to seniors, like diuretics and antihypertensives, can increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related complications. Other medications may make you more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of severe sunburn.
- Social isolation: An overlooked but critical aspect of senior summer safety is mental health. During the summer months, many seniors are prone to social isolation, especially if it’s too hot to participate in outdoor activities. Social isolation negatively impacts mental wellness, increasing the concerning risk of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Being aware of these senior safety and health risks is the first step in taking preventative and proactive measures for a comfortable summer.
15 senior summer safety tips
1. Stay hydrated.
Drinking water is one of the best senior heat precautions to stave off dehydration, heat stroke, and other heat-related illnesses. Keep a water bottle handy so you can stay hydrated when you’re out and about. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
2. Dress for warm weather.
Dress in lightweight, breathable clothing to support senior safety. Opt for light-colored fabrics that reflect the sunlight and sweat-wicking clothing that helps your body naturally regulate its temperature. Consider a wide-brimmed sunhat to shield your face from the sun, as the skin on the face and neck is thinner and burns more easily.
3. Apply SPF daily.
Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by applying a high-SPF sunscreen before heading outside. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’re sweating or swimming. Sun protective clothing and SPF are the best senior summer safety tips to avoid severe sunburns.
4. Wear sunglasses for senior safety.
Sunglasses help protect your eyes from UV rays. Just like sunburn on the skin, you can get sunburn on the eyes, which accelerates eye aging and increases your risk for eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. Look for sunglasses that offer protection from UVA and UVB, and consider polarized lenses to reduce the glare from reflective surfaces like water and roads.
5. Eat light meals.
Along with drinking water, consider nutrition and diet as cornerstones of your senior heat precautions plan. Digesting heavy meals increases the body’s metabolic activity, which generates body heat that leads to perspiration, fluid loss, and dehydration. Instead, choose light, refreshing meals like salads, fruits, and smoothies that will offer hydration while keeping you cool.
6. Limit alcohol and caffeine.
Both alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, which means they promote water loss through urine. This can make you dehydrate more quickly, especially in hot weather, so senior safety experts recommend limiting the intake of alcohol and caffeine. Instead, drink hydrating beverages like water or herbal tea.
7. Add electrolytes to your water.
Consider adding electrolytes into your water to help replenish those lost while sweating. Your local grocery store will have some tasty electrolyte powders in various flavors you can try out. (First, chat with your doctor to make sure electrolytes are suitable for your specific senior safety and health plan.)
8. Plan outdoor activities wisely.
One of the easiest and most effective senior heat precautions is to avoid the heat whenever you can. Because the sun is usually strongest between 10am and 4pm, schedule outdoor excursions for the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler.
9. Check air quality.
Keep an eye on air quality weather reports, especially on hot and humid days when air quality is generally worse. Poor air quality can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular issues, so senior safety experts recommend staying inside and utilizing an air purifier on low-quality days.
10. Stay informed.
Check the news and weather about heat advisories and weather forecasts in your area. If extreme heat or poor air quality is forecasted, take extra senior heat precautions to stay indoors.
11. Use GoGoGrandparent for deliveries.
Use GoGoGrandparent to stay out of the heat. GoGo offers grocery, meal, and prescription delivery, so you can get food and medication delivered right to your door. That means you don’t have to battle the heat to have your essentials on hand.
If you’re braving the heat, consider GoGoRides. Our rides are convenient, reliable, and comfortable, designed with senior safety in mind. You can get wherever you need to go without the headache and hassle of driving on hot summer days.
12. Check your medications.
Some prescriptions can increase sensitivity to heat, dehydration, and UV rays. Check with your healthcare provider to see if any of your medications have these side effects, and inquire about senior heat precautions you can take to stay safe while on these prescriptions.
13. Stay active safely.
Engaging in physical activity is still important in the summer, but you may need to adjust your workout routine to take the appropriate senior heat precautions. Consider moving your workouts indoors and exercising during the cooler parts of the day, like the early morning and evening. Choose low-impact exercises like gentle stretching or chair yoga to minimize the risk of overheating or straining your heart.
14. Protect your beloved pets.
Ensure your pets have access to shelter and fresh water during hot weather. Don’t leave dogs or cats outside in the heat, and avoid exercising them during the hottest parts of the day. Never leave an animal in a parked car, as temperatures can quickly become dangerously high.
15. Know the signs of heat-related illness.
If you’re noticing any of these symptoms in yourself or someone else, seek medical attention immediately:
- Extreme thirst
- Fatigue
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Less frequent urination
- Dark yellow, strong-smelling urine
- Confusion
- Dry mouth, lips, and tongue
- Sunken eyes
- Throbbing headache
- Nausea
- High body temperature or fever
- Rapid pulse
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Hot, red, or dry skin
Summer home modifications for seniors
One of the easiest ways to promote senior summer safety is by staying indoors where it’s air-conditioned and well-ventilated. Make your home a haven with the following senior heat precautions and home modifications for seniors.
1. Use fans and air conditioning.
Invest in quality AC; air conditioning makes all the difference in keeping a comfortable indoor temperature. Portable fans are another great option in conjunction with AC. They can be moved around as needed to help promote senior safety by providing much-needed relief from the heat.
If you don’t have AC, consider spending time at a friend’s house or in public spaces like malls or libraries during the hottest parts of the day. Catch a convenient, cool ride with GoGoRides to easily travel to these air-conditioned spaces.
2. Check your AC.
Hire a GoGo home professional to assess your air conditioning unit. They’ll ensure everything’s in tip-top shape for the summer so you don’t have an AC malfunction or failure on one of the hottest days of the year.
3. Senior summer safety gadgets: consider a smart thermostat.
A smart thermostat is the ultimate senior heat precautions hack. With a smart thermostat like Nest or EcoBee, you can easily adjust your home temperature with a smartphone or voice commands. You can even change the temperature remotely, so you can start cooling your house while on your way home from the mall.
You can also set up routines so the thermostat will automatically adjust throughout the day or fine-tune based on changing outdoor temperatures. These devices also offer energy-saving features, helping you manage utility costs while maintaining a comfortable living environment.
4. Plan fun indoor activities.
Prioritize your senior summer safety by planning fun indoor activities. Reading, puzzles, and crafting are great ways to stay entertained while in the comfort of air conditioning.
You can even consider hosting a party at your house (if you have AC) for your friends to gather and have fun. At-home events are a great way to stay cool while staying social, helping to stave off the summer isolation blues.
5. Focus on fall-preventative home modifications for seniors.
Dehydration and heat exhaustion are primary senior summer safety concerns. The heat can cause dizziness and lack of coordination and balance, making people more susceptible to falls.
Here are a few senior heat precautions and home modifications for seniors to reduce the risk of falls:
- Removing trip hazards like loose rugs
- Getting rid of clutter, especially on the floors
- Installing handrails and grab bars to provide extra support
- Wearing grippy slippers in the home
- Installing emergency buttons or devices in the case of a fall
GoGo’s Home Services connects you with local professionals who can help identify and address fall hazards in your home. We’ve worked with thousands of handymen who know how to install the best home modifications for seniors. You can feel confident that a GoGo professional will take the appropriate senior heat precautions to improve your home’s senior summer safety features.
6. Senior heat precautions 101: preparing for power outages.
Power outages can happen during summer storms or extreme heat. Be prepared by having flashlights, batteries, and emergency supplies nearby. We recommend keeping battery-operated light sources in every room so you don’t have to fumble through the dark to find a flashlight. Also consider investing in a backup power source or generator to maintain essential appliances like fans, small coolers, and medical devices.
7. Keep emergency supplies handy.
Hot temperatures can cause some wacky weather. Prepare for emergencies by having a well-stocked first aid kit accessible in your home and car. A senior safety kit should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, extra medications, emergency contact numbers, bottled water, non-perishable snacks, phone chargers, and a flashlight with batteries.
Get a first aid kit delivered today with GoGo’s Pharmacy Delivery service. We can deliver your prescriptions and other pharmacy purchases right to your door, making it easier than ever to take the necessary senior heat precautions this summer.
8. Seek assistance if needed.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of dehydration or heat exhaustion, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to friends, family members, neighbors, or nearby strangers for support. If you feel dizzy, confused, or fatigued, seek emergency medical assistance. Senior safety is paramount, so never wait to get help.
GoGo Rides can quickly and safely transport you to doctor’s offices if you need non-emergent medical care.
Prioritize senior safety this summer
By following these senior summer safety tips and home modifications for seniors, you can stay cool, hydrated, and safe from the heat. Stay proactive in managing your health and wellbeing, and you can have a happy and healthy summer ahead.
GoGoGrandparent is an excellent tool for beating the heat and prioritizing senior summer safety. For thousands of clients, our suite of services is vital to their senior heat precautions plan:
- GoGoRides is a convenient, easy way to get transportation anywhere you need to go – whether traveling somewhere cool or hitting the mall for some AC.
- GoGo’s delivery services allow groceries, meals, and prescriptions to be brought right to your door. You don’t have to battle the heat to have your essentials on hand.
- GoGo’s Home professionals can help make necessary home modifications for seniors who want a safe, comfortable home this summer.
Register for GoGoGrandparent now to ensure you have access to all these benefits before the warm weather rolls in.
