{"id":5250,"date":"2020-07-17T21:25:18","date_gmt":"2020-07-17T21:25:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comfortkeepers.ca\/northandwestvancouver\/blog\/summer-safety-for-seniors\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T19:46:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T19:46:07","slug":"summer-safety-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comfortkeepers.ca\/northandwestvancouver\/blog\/summer-safety-for-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Safety for North and West Vancouver Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Every Senior in North Vancouver and West Vancouver Needs to Know About Summer Safety<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Summer Safety for Seniors<\/strong> | As the country continues to experience its recent history of long, hot summers, it is becoming vitally important that we understand symptoms of heat-related illnesses, especially for our seniors, so here’s some non-medical advice on Summer Safety for Seniors.<\/p>\n

Our bodies work hard every day to maintain a normal temperature. Excessive heat forces our body to work harder than normal, which often is the root cause of heat-related illness. Essentially, the heat forces our bodies to work beyond their limits. For senior citizens, this can be a dangerous – and even deadly – problem. With awareness and preventative measures, caregivers can help their senior loved ones enjoy a healthy, active summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Summer Safety for Seniors: Heat Exhaustion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Heat exhaustion is a non-life-threatening condition caused by loss of salt and fluid from the body that results from prolonged exposure to extreme heat. Characteristic symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, blurred vision, nausea, upset stomach, an ashen appearance, low blood pressure and vomiting. Sluggishness, fatigue, thirst, rapid weak heartbeat, profuse sweating and a moderate increase in body temperature are also indications.<\/p>\n

Once you recognize that the senior in your life is in distress and exhibiting the symptoms of heat exhaustion, it’s imperative to take action to cool him or her down. Move him or her to a cool, dry place to lie down and rest. Loosen or remove clothing. Apply cool water to the skin and fan the wet skin. Applying ice that is wrapped in a towel to the head, neck armpits and groin areas can help to bring down the body temperature, too. Also, have him or her drink cool water. The water should be cool with no ice. Electrolyte drinks are also good for someone experiencing this condition.<\/p>\n

Summer Safety for Seniors: Heat Stroke<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On the other hand, Heat Stroke is a life-threatening condition. It requires immediate medical attention. Heat stroke occurs when the body cannot cool itself, usually because sweating stops and the body’s core temperature becomes too high. Conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes can all contribute to the increased risk of heat stroke. Also, taking some medications commonly prescribed to seniors, being dehydrated or consuming alcohol in elevated temperatures, can contribute to this risk.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of heat stroke include headache, dizziness, elevated or lowered blood pressure, disorientation, and agitation. Confusion, sluggishness, fatigue, seizures, hot dry skin, fainting, loss of consciousness, increased body temperature, rapid heartbeat and hallucinations are also possible.<\/p>\n

Summer Safety for Seniors:\u00a0Dehydration<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Another major issue seniors can experience due to prolonged heat exposure is dehydration. People aged 65 and older can lose their sense of thirst and tend to not drink enough. Older people also have less ability to perspire, which is a mechanism to release heat from the body. In addition, many older people have chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, and may take medications that can make them more susceptible to dehydration and can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.<\/p>\n

Dehydration is caused by the loss of salts and water in our bodies due to severe sweating, extreme heat, vomiting, diarrhea and certain medications. Severe dehydration can become life-threatening to the elderly because there is no longer enough fluid in the body to carry blood to the organs. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, dry skin, fatigue, confusion, lightheadedness, dry mouth, increased heart and breathing rate and decreased urination. Dehydrated seniors should be moved to a cool place to lie down and rest. They should drink water to replenish fluids.<\/p>\n

Four Summer Safety Tips for Seniors<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As a caregiver, you can help prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion in your senior loved one by following these simple tips:<\/p>\n

Tip #1 – Hydration<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Make sure your senior drinks plenty of fluids <\/strong>throughout the day, even if he or she doesn’t feel thirsty. Seniors should avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages as much as possible as they accelerate dehydration.<\/p>\n

Tip #2 – Sun Protection<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Avoid direct sun exposure, especially during peak hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.<\/strong> Seek out shaded spots outdoors. To protect your senior’s skin from harmful UV rays, remember “Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap!” Meaning, “Slip on a shirt. Slop on Sunscreen. Slap on a hat. And Wrap on sunglasses”.<\/p>\n

Tip #3 – Low-Impact Exercise<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Limit strenuous activity and exercise.<\/strong> Our body works hard enough during the hot days that adding strenuous physical activity can be detrimental. If you’re a senior who exercises regularly, try it during the early morning or late evenings.<\/p>\n

Tip #4 – Rest to Recover<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Take frequent breaks to cool down.<\/strong> When spending time out in the hot sun, it’s beneficial to take numerous breaks to recover. Having a cool area in his or her home in which to recover can also be beneficial.<\/p>\n

As always, the guidelines in this article are not intended as medical advice. Do seek medical attention for your senior if he or she experiences heat-related issues. That way, you can ensure Summer Safety for Seniors.<\/p>\n

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The Best Senior Home Care in North and West Vancouver is Comfort Keepers\u00ae<\/b><\/h2>\n

Our senior home care agency offers in-home care focusing on aging in place. Our services include dementia care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, and palliative care. Comfort Keepers can assist seniors with living transition services, personal care, companionship care, and more!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24\/7 Senior Care Opportunities!<\/b><\/h3>\n

Do you need a home care solution for yourself or a loved one? Have you been thinking about retirement homes and their alternatives as a solution? Comfort Keepers\u00ae enables seniors to maintain happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes. In-home care services are available in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the surrounding areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comfort Keepers\u00ae is a Senior Care Agency That Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving\u2122<\/b><\/h3>\n

Our in-home caregivers ensure our senior clients have the best quality of life. The<\/span> Interactive Caregiving\u2122<\/span><\/a> program ensures that a senior’s safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday needs are met. This program brings joy and good health to each client’s home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comfort Keepers\u00ae North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of a loved one we can help! Comfort Keepers offers 24-hour care and delivers top-quality and compassionate care for seniors.\u00a0 We are dedicated to safety technology solutions that foster independence and enhance well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

Locally Owned and Operated Home Health Care Agency<\/b><\/h3>\n

Our care centers around companionship for seniors. Empathetic care originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. The seasoned in-home caregivers employed by Comfort Keepers are carefully chosen based on their empathetic qualities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact the<\/span> Comfort Keepers\u00ae North Vancouver and West Vancouver<\/span><\/a> office at (604) 998-8806 to learn more about our unique in-home care solutions for seniors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comfort Keepers is an Accredited Senior Care Agency in North and West Vancouver, BC<\/b><\/h4>\n

Accreditation is a rigorous process that involves industry experts evaluating an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures. Comfort Keepers\u00ae North and West Vancouver has been awarded Exemplary Standing by<\/b> Accreditation Canada<\/b><\/a>. This achievement recognizes that Comfort Keepers\u00ae meets or exceeds the stringent quality standards for Home Care companies established by Accreditation Canada. <\/b><\/h4>\n
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