As we enter summer in Australia, we\u2019re all looking forward to some time in the sunshine at the beach or the pool. Temperatures are rising, and while we all want to make the most of the warmer weather, it\u2019s important for older adults to take care of themselves and stay cool.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There are a number of reasons why older adults are more vulnerable to heat:<\/p>\n
Being prepared is key to keeping safe in summer. The following are some of the most effective ways to prevent heat strokes, heat exhaustion, and sunburns for older adults.<\/p>\n
When it\u2019s warm outside, it\u2019s important to consider clothing carefully. This may not seem important, but what you wear can make a huge difference to your health when it\u2019s warm outside. Clothing and accessories can keep you cool and prevent heat exhaustion and sunburn. The following are the most sun-appropriate clothing and accessories:<\/p>\n
During the summer when days are extremely hot, it\u2019s best to stay indoors as much as possible. Try to spend time outdoors when it is cooler, typically before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. In addition, there are steps you can take to make sure your home stays cool in extreme heat:<\/p>\n
The following are the best drinks for seniors to use for hydration:<\/p>\n
Older adults should also avoid drinks that lead to dehydration, such as alcohol and caffeinated drinks.<\/p>\n
As well as drinking plenty of liquids, eating the right foods is also important for keeping the body nourished and hydrated. Fruits and vegetables are ideal for snacking or including as part of a meal. They can also be cut up and added to water or whizzed into a smoothie for a refreshing drink.<\/p>\n
The following are the best fruits and vegetables for boosting vitamin and water intake<\/a>, according to the Hydration Foundation:<\/p>\n
When we are exposed to extreme sunshine, our body has to work harder to keep cool. Our heart rate and metabolic rate also increases in the heat, which is why it\u2019s common to feel tired when sitting outside in the sun. As such, it\u2019s important for older adults to take it easy in the summer to improve health and energy levels. The following should be avoided in warmer weather:<\/p>\n
If you are caring for an older relative or loved one, it\u2019s important to be aware of the dangers of hot weather. The following are some considerations to keep in mind during the warmer months.<\/p>\n
Ensure you are staying cool this summer and looking after yourself and your loved ones. For more information on this article, or the\u00a0other services that we provide<\/a>, don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch with Brain Sparks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As we enter summer in Australia, we\u2019re all looking forward to some time in the sunshine at the beach or the pool. Temperatures are rising, and while we all want to make the most of the warmer weather, it\u2019s important for older adults to take care of themselves and stay cool.\u00a0 Older adults over the […]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":16161,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16160"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16160"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16160\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}