Senior Safety In Summer: Tips For Home Carers
Summer can be a great time to work in aged care. You and your client get to spend plenty of time outdoors, soaking up the summer sun and enjoying the beautiful weather this time of year bestows on Australia. Whether you’re helping them catch up with mates, head to the beach or spend time with loved ones, summer is always a fun and rewarding time of year in this profession!
However, it’s not without its challenges, especially as you will be well aware that older Aussies can struggle in the heat. Minto – like other Sydney suburbs – is susceptible to soaring above the 40 degree mark. These temperatures can be dangerous for younger Sydneysiders, not to mention seniors, who can really suffer with heat and dehydration.
As such, it’s important for you, as a home carer, to ensure your participant’s home is safe and ready for the steamy season ahead.
Here are five tips for making your participant’s home summer safe:
- Help them keep hydrated
The best aged care Minto has will always advise that you help your participant stay hydrated regardless of whether they’re indoors or outdoors. Because, even if the air conditioning is on full blast when you’re both at home, you don’t want them stepping out into the street unhydrated when it’s still balmy in the late afternoon.
So, one of the most important things you can do is remind them to stay hydrated. Advise them to drink plenty of water if they intend to head out to the shops or for an afternoon walk. What’s more, be sure to have a jug of cold water ready in the fridge should they require a really refreshing thirst quencher!
- Home cooling
It’s unpleasant for any Sydneysider to sit around in the home in the summer heat and the same goes for the elderly. Plus, as their carer, you yourself probably don’t want to be sitting around a boiling hot room on a 40 degree day. So, if they have air conditioning, recommend using it as you both see appropriate.
Of course, ceiling and wall fans are also a great idea if they don’t have air conditioning. Regardless of what you use, it’s all about keeping cool and comfortable in whatever way possible, as it might be too hot for the both of you to go outside!
- Avoid going out in the hottest hours
Because going out at the hottest time of the day is unpleasant for younger people and downright dangerous for the elderly. You should always avoid taking your participant out in the middle of one of the hottest days of the year. Should there be some reason that they really do have to go out then you should arrange cool and comfortable transport as well as protective clothing, sunscreen and water to assist with the journey.
- Ensure their medications are stored properly
Many elderly Aussies use heat-sensitive medications and you will be aware of whether or not your participant’s medication needs to be stored in a cool or refrigerated area. What’s more, you might want to consult with their GP or pharmacist about any further medication storage methods.
- Stay in the shade
Summer is the best time for you and your participant to get out into the backyard and enjoy a cool beverage or even a spot of morning gardening. But you should always be sure to stay in the shade as the blazing sun can be hazardous for the both of you!
