July 3rd is Stay Out of the Sun Day. As a family caregiver, you know the potential dangers the sun can pose for your aging parent. From sunburn to sun damage, overheating, eye strain, and more, the sun that can have negative consequences for your parent's health and well-being any time of the year, but particularly harmful during the hottest months. Stay Out of the Sun Day is the perfect time to plan ways you can keep your parent safe and healthy on the days when the sun is the most intense, while also keeping them entertained.
Use these tips to protect your senior's skin and eyes from damage on Stay Out of the Sun Day:
- If your parent goes outside, make sure they wear lightweight clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Dark colors actually block out more sunlight than lighter colors
- A hat with a wide brim protects the face and eyes
- Keep your parent in the shade, which is much cooler and reduces impact of sunlight
- Keep your parent indoors during the most intense sunlight of the day, which tends to be between 10 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon
- Remember that water does not filter sunlight, so swimming or resting in a pool is not sufficient for protecting the skin
- If your parent wants to go on an outing during the day, plan for a visit somewhere indoors, such as a fully-contained mall rather than an open air shopping center, or a museum of natural history rather than a garden
- Encourage your parent to wear sunglasses any time their eyes may be exposed to sunlight, such as when they are sitting on their porch or in a sunroom
Making home care a part of your summertime care routine for your aging parent can be a fantastic way to encourage them to get out of the home, enjoy the summer weather, and stay at more active. The personalized care of this in-home senior care services provided will help your parent stay healthy and safe while enjoying activities outside. This support can include helping them to make good choices, monitoring their condition during their activities, and ensuring they stay properly hydrated. This care provider can also be extremely beneficial in helping your parent to stay cool, comfortable, and healthy when they need to remain indoors during warmer weather.
If you or an aging loved one are considering homecare in Okemos, MI, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors of Lansing. Call today: 517-332-9953.