In your opinion, why seniors should not go to summer camp? In this article, we are going to answer this question. If you are caring for an elderly loved one at home, summer can be somewhat challenging. You should be aware of the potential dangers of summer for the elderly and plan before the warm months arrive so that summer is fun and enjoyable for you and other family members.
Most of us love the summer season and wait for it to arrive. Warm weather, long days, summer trips and many other things make this season attractive. But if you’re caring for elderly parents at home, summer can be a bit of a challenge. If you want to go on a trip in the summer, but you can’t take your elderly parents with you, you can get help from a nurse. For this purpose, you should know what is a sitting Sservice? In the following article, we would like to tell you some recommendations for taking care of the elderly in the summer.
Why Seniors Should Not Go To Summer Camp + Important Points
Do you also want to know the answer to the question why seniors should not go to summer camp? Elderly people cannot adapt to temperature changes as well as younger people, and for this reason, hot summer weather may bother them more. High air temperature in summer can be as deadly as low air temperature in winter. Chronic diseases affect the body’s response to heat, and many prescription medications may also affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Most of the people who die due to heatstroke are over 50 years old. People who have high blood pressure, are overweight or underweight, and those who have heart, lung or kidney diseases are also more at risk of heatstroke. Can a bedridden person be left alone? It is necessary to inform your elderly parents about the dangers associated with heat and teach them what to do to prevent heatstroke. for example:
- Drink more water than usual, even when you are not thirsty.
- Wear loose cotton clothes.
- Do not rely on the fan to cool down and turn on the air conditioner.
- Do not do heavy physical activity and rest a lot.
For these reasons, the elderly cannot participate in summer camps. In the following, we will also tell you some important points regarding the prevention of heatstroke in the elderly.
5 Simple Solutions To Prevent Heatstroke In the Elderly
According to the above, now you know why seniors should not go to summer camp? Now, in this section, five simple solutions are presented to prevent the effects of heat on the elderly, so that the damage caused to them in the summer season is minimized. These solutions include:
1- Drink enough water
Seniors over 60 are generally more at risk of dehydration than other people. Lack of water in the body can lead to feeling weak, nausea, dizziness and loss of balance.
2- Stay in a cool environment
Staying in cool environments, closing the curtains and using the air conditioning system during hot days can help reduce the body temperature of the elderly. Also, using a cold water bath or placing the feet in a container of cold water and using wet towels is effective to reduce the body temperature.
3- Avoiding activities outside the home
It is better for the elderly not to leave the house on hot days and to leave the handling of daily affairs such as shopping or banking to family members or friends.
4- Quick action if you feel bored
When seniors experience severe heatstroke, they are more likely to need immediate medical attention. But the emergency department of the hospital, especially on hot days, has special risks for the elderly. Therefore, it is better to always monitor the elderly and if there are early symptoms of heatstroke, consult a doctor quickly so that preventive measures can be taken before the situation worsens.
5- Visit the elderly
For seniors who live alone, heat waves pose special risks. Therefore, during hot days, always visit the elderly and try to keep them in a cool environment with other family members.
Why Seniors Should Not Go To Summer Camp + What We Do?
You cannot be with your elderly loved one all the time and you should not blame yourself for the times you are not with him. Maybe you have planned to take your elderly loved one on a trip, but maybe something happened to his health will disrupt the plans. If this happens, be sure to consider someone to nurse and care for the elderly person to be present in your absence. You also need rest and relaxation and you should enjoy the trip to recharge and refresh yourself.
So, the answer to the question why seniors should not go to summer camp was completely determined. Remember that during hot days, normal activities take more energy from people. Maybe your mom spends an hour gardening in normal weather, but on hot summer days she should definitely cut this time short and rest more. It should be noted that early morning or after sunset is a good time for walking for elderly people.
Note that heatstroke can be fatal and you need to know the symptoms of heatstroke. These symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, sensory disturbance, headache, excessive sweating, fainting, and nausea. If you suspect that your elderly parent is suffering from heatstroke, take them to the emergency room as soon as possible.
What Are The Causes Of Heatstroke in the Elderly?
Heat stroke in the elderly can occur for several reasons. In the elderly, body systems are less able to cope with heat conditions. Among the causes of heatstroke, the following can be mentioned:
Decreased respiratory system function
With aging, the ability to absorb and transfer oxygen to cells decreases. This situation can lead to improper breathing and, as a result, an increase in body temperature.
Decreased ability to sweat
Sweating is one of the main mechanisms for cooling the body in hot temperatures. With aging, the ability to sweat also decreases and the body may not be able to effectively regulate its body temperature.
Reducing the ability of the heart to function
In the elderly, the heart’s ability to cope with changes in heart rate and regulate blood pressure decreases. At high temperatures, these issues can lead to heart problems.
medicines
Many seniors take medications that may have side effects such as increased body temperature.
Chronic Diseases
Diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and other chronic diseases can reduce the body’s ability to cope with high temperatures.
Lack of fluids
Lack of water and fluids in the body can quickly lead to heatstroke in the elderly.
In order to prevent heatstroke in the elderly, it is necessary to avoid excessive sweating especially on hot days, to consume enough fluids and to use cool and protected places to keep the elderly.
Concluding Remarks
In this article from humanhealthmag, we answered the question why seniors should not go to summer camp? According to the above, if you are responsible for taking care of an elderly person at home, the summer season may bring you special challenges. At this time, you should pay attention to the dangers that may exist for the elderly and make the necessary plans before the start of the summer season so that the summer is a pleasant experience for both you and your family members.
For many, summer is the season to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening, and traveling. Hiring a geriatric nurse is one of the best ways to ensure that seniors and loved ones stay safe this summer. These professional caregivers can help seniors enjoy summer and outdoor activities.
FAQs
What does elderly care mean?
Elderly care is a permanent service. This service does not include specialized services provided by nurses. The elderly caregiver can also take blood pressure and blood sugar, etc. Caring for the elderly is a little more difficult than keeping the elderly at home, caring for the elderly requires more experience and skills.
Why is nutrition important in old age?
Taking care of nutrition controls high blood pressure and fat, diabetes and osteoporosis. Also, good eating habits and proper nutrition are effective in preventing many diseases. If the elderly observe proper nutrition, they are less at risk of contracting diseases. To care for the elderly, pay attention to their nutrition. Balance, quality, variety, control of energy and calorie intake are observed in the principles of correct nutrition for the elderly.
What are the effects of heatstroke on the body?
If the body temperature exceeds the normal limit due to being in hot weather, a person will suffer from heatstroke. This complication may be caused by intense physical activities in hot weather. Of course, sometimes intense physical activity has not been done, but due to aging or suffering from other diseases, the heat has an unusual effect on the body and the person suffers from heatstroke.
When should we get familiar with the principles of elderly care?
If your parents are having trouble doing their daily activities, they most likely need extra care. This care can be provided by you or by a nurse or elderly companion.