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Hiding in the Air Conditioning May be Fine as a Caregiver, but Consider the Senior’s Needs, Too

Elderly Care in Spring Valley, TX

Elderly Care in Spring Valley, TXThe days are now approaching their hottest in most regions across the United States. In some parts the country temperatures can exceed 90° or even 100° for many days on end. In the south and southeast, high heat and humidity can make it feel almost unbearable at times, even for the most diehard residents who spent their entire life in these regions. It may be tempting to hide out in the air conditioning, especially if you’re a caregiver looking after an elderly loved one, but it’s not always best to do that day in and day out.

Elderly susceptibility to heat.

Seniors are very susceptible to the heat, which is why it is important to make sure they don’t spend a great deal of time outdoors when it is extremely hot. It’s also important to understand that anyone who doesn’t have some type of air conditioning in their home, even if it is just a single window unit in their bedroom, should seek shelter at a local community shelter where they have air conditioning, especially if they’re in the 70s, 80s, or 90s.

The vast majority of fatalities during any type of heat wave, wherever they occur in the world, are senior citizens. Seniors simply don’t have the same ability to keep cool and maintain optimal body temperature, which means they need to seek air conditioning.

However, when the heat is on throughout the summer, just hiding out in the air conditioning every single day may seem like an easy solution for the caregiver, it is not doing the elderly individual any good. They still need to get out and be active.

Get out in the early morning hours or evening hours.

Is certainly not advisable to go to the park or do other outdoor activities with an elderly individual during the hottest part of the day, especially when the temperatures are exceeding 90°, so getting out in the early morning or evening hours is a great alternative.

By getting out during this time of the day, the senior can get fresh air, be active, get a little bit of exercise, and keep relatively cool before the sun gets too high, too hot, and the temperature becomes oppressive.

Yes, it is certainly more comfortable to relax in the comfort of air conditioning, but every caregiver, family member or otherwise, needs to consider the benefits for the senior in their care.

If you have a loved one who could benefit from the help of elderly care in Spring Valley, TX contact At Your Side Home Care. We help seniors and their families with many levels of home care service. Call (832) 271-1600 for more information.

Donna Wrabel, LMSW

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